Evening star., 1945-11-18

full eruption. But unless the major
world powers show more wisdom and q
greater desire for sincere cooperation,
there is grave danger that before the
end OF the year one of the most popu-
lated areas in the world will be in COM
plete turmoil.
The Indonesian situation affects the
United States only indirectly. Because
OF previous agreements, it is not possible
for the American Government to do
more than give counsel, which may or
may not be followed by the Netherlands
and British governments, the principal
benef1ciaries of the riches contained in
Java and Sumatra.
So far as can be ascertained here,
there are no political subversive ele-
ments behind the revolution of the
Indonesian peoples. And although the
interested powers may try to put the
blame either on communist activities"
or on subversive propaganda, it is evi-
dent that the Indonesian leaders wish
only one thing-to run their own peo-
pie themselves. There is no tendency on
their part to divorce themselves entirely
from their Dutch masters. Neither are
there any indications that they wish to
proceed with policy of naturalization
which would be harmful to the large
British interests invested in that
country.
Would Be Own Masters.
The Indonesian leaders want to be
masters in their own house. Reports
from unbiased on-the-spot American
observers say they would welcome an
economic corporation from the western
world-provided it is more beneficial to
the millions of natives who in the past
have received only few meager crumbs
from the untold wealth of their country
The repressive policy of the Neither
lands government supported by the Brit
ish military and naval forces is consid-
cred here as being frankly nearsighted.
Use of force against the Far Eastern
people might have paid dividends 20 or
80 years ago. But today, after the
British and Dutch have been Inundated
during the war and forced to surrender
to the Japanese, the display of force
against poorly armed natives can make
little impression on the people of the
far Pacific
The possibility of the Indonesians
fighting for self rule and political and
economic autonomy may have serious
repercussions in Malaga, Burma and
India itself. In period Of restlessness
such as has never been witnessed be-
fore, the efforts of the Dutch and British
governments to stick by policy of force
are highly unwelcomed by the American
Government and the American people.
Willing to Mediate.
This Government, in keeping with its
previous commitments, has adopted q
hands-on policy In that area, but the
administration, it is said in responsible
quarters, would not hesitate to act as
mediator should the governments IN
London Ind at The Hague ask for such
mediation.
The Indonesian situation has been
made unnecessarily explosive. The Brit
ish and the Dutch must have been fully
aware that negotiations could have
brought excellent results. The present
explosive crisis has been precipitated by
an unbelievable lack OF comprehension
and stubbornness on the part Of the
men who have had the responsibility Of
dealing with the Indonesians' logical
demands.
The situation in China is far more
dramatic, however, and is of more far
reaching importance to us.
Because Of the desire to avoid any
misinterpretation Of the actions of the
American Government, the people of
this country have been allowed to re-
main in state Of confusion as to why
we must stay in that country, now that
the japanese have been defeated and
have surrendered.
It is obvious that the explanation that
we must remain in China until we have
completed the disarmament and repatri-
alton of about 2,500,00 japanese soldiers
Is unconvincing.
There has been loud-voiced charge
In some sections of the American press
and radio that we are backing General
issimo Chang Kai-shek's totalitarian