Reliable eyewitnesses' reports indicate that Guerrilla activity in
Central Java is causing the Dutch considerable embarrassment. The
principal reports are from-
(a) George Kahin, an American graduate formerly undertaking
research in Djokjakarta and now correspondent for Overseas News
Agency;

(b) Lieutenant Colonel Rhys and Commander Dierman, Attaches
respectively to the British and United States Consul-General;

Quentin Pope correspondent for Chicago Tribune.

2. Kahin was granted permission by the Dutch authorities in
Batavia to visit Djokjakarta for a week from 6th January. He was
arrested there on 9th January and compelled to return to Batavia
the following day. Kahin reports-
(a) There is considerable Guerrilla activity in and around
Djokjakarta. The Dutch have suffered casualties and T.N.I.

soldiers appear to have freedom of movement in areas close to the
city. On the night of the 9th January, a heavy attack on the city
by a section of the Siliwangi division, lasted from 10.00 p.m. to
2.00 a.m. and was repulsed only after the Dutch used tank carriers
and armoured cars.

(b) The Dutch are taking strong reprisal action including the
burning of complete villages.

(c) The main buildings of Magelang have been gutted and 50,000
tons of sugar were destroyed near Djokjakarta on 5th January.

(d) Despite Dutch reports suggesting that the Sultan of
Djokjakarta may co-operate, the latter has refused to meet the
Dutch on plea of illness. On 1st January, he resigned as head of
the Civil Armies of Djokjakarta retaining only his authority as
head of the Royal Family.

(e) The Dutch have so far managed to obtain very little co-
operation from the people of Djokjakarta. Of 10,000 civil servants
ordinarily employed by the Sultan only 150 are now working for the
Dutch.

(f) The food situation throughout Central Java is critical. The
Dutch are bringing in a certain amount of rice from Semarang which
is distributed only to those working for them. Textiles and
coconut oil are also distributed to those who have worked a week
or more for the Dutch. The price of rice on the open market has
soared as a result of the scarcity.

(g) Leimena, whom Kahin managed to see despite Dutch efforts to
prevent him, is free but is not permitted any political activity.

Contrary to Van Royen's statement [1] to the Security Council he
has declined a Dutch offer of a position in the Interim Federal
Government. Leimena believes the people can continue non co-
operation for three to four months. He stressed the importance of
positive signs of help from outside.

3. Rhys and Dierman made a tour of Madioen, Djokjakarta and Solo
on the invitation of the Dutch military authorities on 5th and 6th
January. They reported to the Consular Commission that-
(a) Guerrilla activity was continuing around Madioen and that
roads thereabouts were still unsafe. Madioen in fact was
completely cut off from the rest of Java except by air and, as a
result, there was an acute food shortage.

(b) The road from Djokjakarta to Maguwo was still unsafe and
snipers continue at night.

(c) Solo is severely damaged and is without water or light.

(d) The road from Solo to Djokjakarta is severely damaged and is
considered by the Dutch to be dangerous.

(e) Observation by military observers will be complicated by the
fact that all roads outside the main towns are unsafe. The small
size of the Dutch garrisons and the nature of the country in
central Java, lend themselves to a continuation of Guerrilla
activities.

(f) The Netherlands casualties are possibly higher than indicated
in the Dutch reports. Republican casualties are not known but the
two concentrations are believed to have suffered casualties
amounting to 800 and 500 respectively.

(h) Rice and textiles are distributed by the Dutch only to those
working for them.

4. Pope visited Madioen and Solo on 8th to 10th January. He
confirmed the above accounts and added that the Dutch forces
around Solo are using artillery fire against anything resembling a
concentration. In thickly populated villages this is causing
numerous civilian casualties-which he confirmed at the local
hospitals. He also reported that no attempt had been made to clear
side-roads which were still barricaded.

5. Republican sources, particularly their radio station in East
Java, continue to report Guerrilla activities throughout Java.

These appear to be most intense in West and Central Java.