On September 9 the Deputies [1] submitted a draft Board press
release stating that there had been a very substantial decrease in
armed clashes and incidents, that such difficulties and
disagreements as arose from time to time were mostly being dealt
with by the local Joint Committees and few matters of importance
being referred by them to the Board, and that the Board felt the
'cease-hostilities' was a success. The Dutch agreed that the
'cease-fire' was very successful but claimed that the 'cease-
hostilities' was most unsatisfactory owing to the serious military
situation created in East and Central Java by Republican
infiltrations-'still continuing'-and to Republican interference
with the civil administration in these areas. Though as anxious as
we to publicise good progress they could not consent to a 'half
truth'. Nor were they prepared to draft a new release with us
which, while meeting their position, would still include the
brighter side. Since Milex has insufficient detailed and first
hand reports from the field, we are unable to take a strong
position with the Dutch in this matter. In making a separate UNCI
release we would afford the Dutch an opportunity to publish their
own version to which we could not at present effectively reply.

[2]

2. The following is a summary of latest Milob and Committee
reports:-

PURWOKERTO: infringements general throughout the area but of a
minor and sporadic nature. The Committee reached a deadlock on
delineations after its first meeting. (We have asked them to try
again and sent the Dutch and Republican military representatives
on the Board to assist them.)
SEMARANG: the Dutch alleged 24 incidents during August 26-
September 2 plus many instances of Republicans improving their
positions. Most of the incidents were unimportant. There is no
news as to delineations but the team reports the present position
to be favourable.

MAGELANG: only four minor incidents reported for week ending
September 2. Good progress in discussions on delineations.

SOLO: there is no recent news but Milobs reported a very
substantial decrease in incidents to August 20th followed by an
increase to August 27, with allegations by both parties. Since
then Dutch and Republican Board Representatives have visited Solo
and arranged for 'co-ordinated' (not joint) 'patrolling', and for
a joint administration by Dutch and Republicans and by the
Susuhanan and Mankunegoro. The Dutch at first demanded that the
Republic recognise the Rulers as having a near Negara status but
they have now referred to The Hague a proposal that the Republic
and the Rulers should share the administration and the Dutch
troops withdraw. The Republic is anxious to retain sufficient
authority to protect the Rulers from left-wing groups in the
Residency.

KEDIRI: the Milob report to September 3 states 'incidents still
occurring through the entire area but in a diminishing number and
with the continued constructive co-operation between local
commanders they should gradually become nil'. Informal meetings
between local commanders were becoming more frequent and there
appeared to be an atmosphere of great confidence. There is no news
regarding delineations.

BODJONEGORO: only two minor incidents have been reported since the
Cease-Hostilities. There is no news as to delineations.

3. These reports do not support the Dutch description of the
situation. It is also to be noted that though the Dutch
representatives on the local Committees complain of Republican
infringements, they are content that these be dealt with locally
and do not claim that the general situation is serious. (Ends Part
I)
4. The Sourabaya area continues unsettled. Baay, the Dutch
General, claims that the situation is critical owing to continued
Republican infiltrations and attempts to upset the Negara
administration. Milobs' reports confirm this but since they are
largely from Dutch sources it is difficult to tell what is
actually happening. Republicans in Batavia report things to be
much quieter than the Dutch say, but they fear that Baay's
aggressive attitude and the continued detention of Djarot (TNI
commander in the Sourabaya incident [3] of 10/11 August) are
causing unrest among their people. (The Republicans have
complained to Lovink that Baay insulted the Sultan during his
recent visit. s'Jacob in apologising to Wongsonegoro for this,
stated that Baay's removal had been considered, but was difficult
owing to his father's position on the Queen's staff.) Both parties
having submitted extravagant and unacceptable claims, the
Committee has reached a deadlock on delineations and is referring
to the Board. The position has been complicated by a lack of
balance on the part of the Milob team and their open support for
the Dutch.

5. Except in the Bukittinggi area, where the Chairman has reported
that the parties cannot yet agree on delineations and that
Republican infiltrations continue, reports from Sumatra, Bantam
and Pasundan remain favourable.

6. The informal discussions between the parties on paragraph 7 of
Van
Roijen's statement [4] of 7 May give the background to the Cease-
Hostilities in Java. Budiardjo's impressions are that the Dutch
will probably recognise the Republican civil administration in the
Java Renville territories and the Semarang Recomba area, but will
delineate zones rather than withdraw their troops pending the
progress of The Hague Conference, particularly regarding the
position of the KNIL. In Pasundan they have said that they will
garrison their troops by the end of the month but this will
probably depend on the outcome of their present demand that the
Republic withdraw its administration. In East Java the Dutch are
pressing for the Republic's complete military and civil
withdrawal. The F.C.A. are supporting the Dutch, claiming that the
presence of Republican administrations is inconsistent with the
Negara status of Pasundan and East Java as recognized by the
Republic at the Inter-Indonesian Conference. The Republicans
appear genuinely anxious that a withdrawal on their part from
Pasundan and East Java will considerably strengthen the positions
of the Darul Islam and Tan Malacca groups, both of which are
opposed to the Hatta Government and to the R.T.C.

7. At the Board meeting on Friday Wongsonegoro alleged Netherlands
violations of paragraph three of the Proclamation [5], claiming
that they had executed seven political prisoners during the last
fortnight, all of whom had been arrested prior to the Cease-
Hostilities and that this was having serious repercussions among
Indonesians. At today's meeting he requested that the parties on
the Board agree to ask their Governments to refer sentences to the
Sub-Committee on Political Prisoners so that the political or
criminal nature of offences might be discussed before sentences be
executed. The Dutch replied that all sentences were scrupulously
reviewed before execution and that in particular cases mentioned
the persons executed were common criminals. They could not agree
to Wongsonegoro's request but would transmit it to the Government
of Indonesia for consideration. The Republican complaint was
referred to the Sub-Committee for investigation.