Evening star., 1948-01-17
|Indonesiia-Dutch
Truce Is Signed
On u. 5. Vessel
Action Ends II Weeks
Of Negotiations by
U. N. Council Group
BY the Asseeioted Press

by ms %SS0GsoIeo ffesS
BATAVIA, Java, Jan. 1.-THE
Dutch and the Indonesian Re-
public signed truce today in
the warfare that broke out last
summer in Java, Sumatra and
Madeira.
The agreement was signed aboard
the United States Navy transport
Renville, anchored off Batavia.
Endorsement of the truce climaxed
II weeks of negotiations by good
offices committee sent by the United
Nations Security Council to try to
bring peace in the Netherlands In
dies. ....-
Three copies of the truce agree
ment were signed first by Abdul
Kadir, head of the Netherlands dele
cation, and then by Amir Sjari-
foeddin, Premier of the Indonesian
Republic.
Their signatures were witnessed
with those of the committee-Dr.
Frank P. Graham of the United
States, Richard C. Kirby of Australia
and Paul van iceland of Belgium.
IL Principles Signed.
The two delegation chairmen also
signed a statement of II principles
agreed on as the basis of future
political discussions and received
from the committee six additional
political principles, to which they
were asked to agree by Monday.
A reliable committee source said
Doth delegations already had agreed
informally to the latter six, includ-
ing a provision for a plebiscite in
Java, Sumatra and Madeira, and
acceptance was considered certain
Political disagreements between
the Dutch and the republic started
the war last July 20, when the Dutch
Army began what it called police
action" against the Indonesians.
The case was brought before the
United Nations, and the Security
Council, urging both sides to settle
their disputes, called on them Au-
gust l for a cease-fire effective
three days later. They agreed to
the cease-fire, but later each ac-
cused the other of violating it
freely. Subsequently the committee
was set up.
The truce agreement provides for
demilitarized zone based on a
Dutch drawn line and in effect
gives the Netherlands at least tenn
porary control of the most produc-
tive areas Of Java and Sumatra.
A small crowd witnessed the sign
ing on the Renville's deck.
Premier Sjarifoeddin told those
present that the Republic "is natu-
rally disappointed that the truce
finally agreed upon departs so far
from what we hoped for"
But the republic has accepted the
truce and will carry 1t out to the
best of our ability" he said.
"VictOry for Reason"
Abdul Kadir hailed the agreement
as ''the initial victory for reason and
common sense"
Mr.. Kirby, U. N. committee chair
man of the week, said the committee
now must continue to perform the
real task 1t came to the islands to
perform-assist in reaching a po-
litical settlement.
DR.. Graham said the agreement
"by common consent surely will take
its name" from the Renville, aboard
which discussions have been held for
weeks.
The 18 political principles, he said,
"have helped lay common founda-
ton of freedom and independence
for all the people of Indonesia .
in a sovereign federal democratic
United States of Indonesia in CO.
operation with the people of the
Netherlands in one of the great his
toric unions of free nations OF the
modern world"
Before the signing, Mr.. Kirby
cabled the Security Council in Lake
Success, N. Y, thati was due today
and said he, Mr.. Van Iceland and
DIR. Graham expect to arrive in
Lake Success by January 81 to re-
port.
He told the Council that two
hours after the truce was signed,
identical cease-fire, stand-fast Or
ders were to be issued to both Dutch
and Republican troops. These orders
are to be fully effective 4S hours
after the signing.
Other Provisions of Truce.
Other provisions of the truce
agreement.
A demilitarized zone is to be
established between forward posi-
tions of the two forces. 1t is to be
based on the Van Nook" line.
The demilitarized zone is not to
prejudice the rights of either party
under various Security Council reso-
lutions OIL the Indonesian matter.
Final boundaries between Dutch
and republican territory are not
specified. >f
The U. N. committees neutral
military advisers are to investigate
whether republican troops still are
resisting Inside Netherlands posi-
/C.- TNYrAh1ECT pora 0N