RETURN TO DJOKJAKARTA

On 24th June, the Dutch troops commenced the evacuation of the
Djokjakarta Residency, which will be completed in seven phases by
30th June. According to Military observers' reports and to the
Netherlands Delegation, the first three phases have been
satisfactorily completed. During the first phase the Republican
troops did not arrive on time to take over Wonosari. This delay
was probably due to communication difficulties, but local Dutch
papers are making it the subject of a special press campaign as
illustrating the reluctance of the T.N.I. to cooperate with the
Republican Government.

2. The following are major points of difference between the
parties in sub-committee one (return to Djokjakarta) which have to
be settled before the report of this sub-committee can be
formalised:

(a) Arms for the Police.

Though supplying uniforms and equipment for the proposed
Republican police force of 2500, the only arms the Dutch will
supply are 700 Enfields and 100 carbines. However, as a result of
Republican insistence, Lovink has assured the Sultan of
Djokjakarta that he will 'do his utmost' to supply further arms
after the restoration, if developments are satisfactory. For
reasons of morale, the Dutch do not wish their troops to take
delivery of the 700 weapons and have the Vice President of the
Commission's [aid] [1] in this connection. Van Lang[en], the Dutch
Commander in Djokjakarta, has told Aneta that his troops are
'depressed' by the orders to evacuate.

(b) Radio Communications.

The Republicans urgently need a transmitter of two and a half to
three kilowatts capacity to enable them to broadcast to foreign
countries and to avoid difficulties of communication between the
Republican areas which may endanger observance of the cease-fire
orders. The Dutch will not supply this, as they claim that they
have no suitable equipment available, but will give the
Republicans a weaker transmitter not capable of satisfactory
performance. According to the Republican Delegation, the Dutch
will not object to the Republicans obtaining from other sources
either a suitable transmitter or parts from which one could be
constructed. I should be glad of your advice as to the possibility
of this equipment being supplied from Australia.

(c) Air Communications.

The Dutch will only allow K.L.M. to operate on the basis of its
Dutch Government 'concession'. The Republicans however refuse to
be bound by the terms of K.L.M.'s agreement with the Dutch and
wish to negotiate an adequate agreement with K.L.M. So far there
is a complete deadlock here and the lack of a daily air service
following Djokjakarta restoration adds to the Republicans'
communications difficulties.