With reference to my memorandum No. 24/49 [1] regarding the
treatment of Republican leaders on Bangka Island, liberal opinion
in Holland has been surprised and indignant at the recent
disclosures that orders for their release from house arrest had
not been obeyed. Shortly after the publication of the G.O.C.

report [2] on conditions on Bangka, the Government issued a
statement expressing regret and promising an immediate
investigation.

2. The criticism in practically all sections of the press centres
around Dr. Beel, the representative of the Crown in Batavia. He is
variously represented as being either too weak to insist on his
subordinates obeying orders or extremely ill-informed as to what
is happening in his territory. Particular chagrin is felt at the
loss of face which Holland has suffered internationally over the
matter and Labour papers have been particularly caustic. In an
editorial comment Het Vrije Volk, the organ of the official Labour
party, stated that 'a new blunder had been added to a series of
unforgivable blunders'.