The Committee today, December 28th, sent a firm letter to the
acting Chairman of the Netherlands Delegation asking for an
immediate answer to the following questions:

1. Has the Government issued any orders to cease hostilities?
2. If so, at what time or times were such orders issued?
3. Are there any orders in preparation for issuance during the
next 24 hours?
4. Have any orders been issued to release political prisoners?
5. If so, which members are included and how far have orders been
carried into effect?
6. What is the place of detention of the main political prisoners
not released?
7. To what extent do those who have been released have freedom of
movement, of activity?
The Committee has also asked whether there would be any objection
to personal contacts between the Committee representatives and the
Republican officials under detention or otherwise.

2. On procedural grounds a similar letter was sent to the
Secretary General of the Republican Delegation. He has replied
that he is unable to contact members of the Hatta Government or of
his Delegation and that he has received no information about them.

3. The Committee has asked the Netherlands to reply by midnight
tonight when a further report will be telegraphed to the Security
Council on the basis of the letters and such replies as are
received.

4. Provisionally, the Republican Government in Sumatra has
broadcast that no decision regarding the resolution of the
Security Council should be taken without its consultation and that
the Republican armed forces should only cease fire by order of the
head of the Provincial [2] Government.