Evening star., 1948-12-20

Dutch Press On
In Indonesiid as
Capital Is Taken
Republics Oil Center
Also Near Capture;
Casualties Light
BY the Associated Press

oA AVAA, Java, Lee. ZU.-
Dutch forces, clamping a nut
cracker operation on the fiedg-
ling Indonesian Republic, raced
unchecked through Central Java
today after taking the capital.
Tjepoe, the republics only oil
center, seemed about to fall.
Dutch paratroopers and airborne
troops seized the capital, Jogja-
karta, in lightning moves yesterday.
They interned the top leaders of
the Republic, including the Presi-
dent, the Premier and the Repub-
lican army commander.
Netherlands Marines who landed
on the north coast of East Java
early yesterday have reached the
outskirts of Tjepoe, war wrecked
oil center inside Republican terri
tory. Other forces occupied Toeran,
Is miles southeast of Malang.
On Sumatra-the republic is
made up of parts of Java and
Sumatra-Dutch troops took Solok
This is in the middle of the island.
Other troops occupied Singakarak,
Is miles to the north, on the route
from Dutch-held territory to the
most important Republican city of
Sumatra, Bukittinggi.
Truce Lines Smashed.
The Dutch announced their forces
smashed through truce lines at
number of points on Java and
Sumatra. Units raced through
Sumatras rich rubber-producing
area. and were reported approach
ing Medan, major city of the
north.
Thus far it has been almost a
bloodless occupation. The Dutch
call it police action" The Meth
erlands forces are we'll ahead of
their own timetable, following the
quick seizure of Jogjakarta by air.
borne troops in the first hours of
the fighting yesterday.
Dutch casualty figures show they
are meeting little Indonesian resist
ance
Netherlands Army headquarters
said SO far six Dutch soldiers have
been killed and eight wounded in
both Java and Sumatra. Three
Dutch were wounded in the Jogja-
karta siege, the report said.
Leaders in Custody.
A Dutch communique said virtu-
ally all the high Republican leaders
were in Netherlands custody. Among
those taken were DR.. Soekarno,
president of the republic; Premier
Mohamed Hatta, Foreign Minister
Agus Salim, former Premier Sutan
Sjahrir and Gen. Soederiman, COM
mander of the Republican Army.
The Dutch also announced that
their forces had broken through old
truce lines at several points in Java
and Sumatra.
The Indonesian government, be-
fore Jogjakarta's fall, branded the
Dutch land, sea and air offensive as
a "dastardly" attack, comparable to
the japanese assault on Pearl Har-
Dor.
Not Told of Reputation.
American and Australian members
of the U. N. Good Offices Committee
notified the Security Council that
the committee as a whole has not
yet been apprised of the Dutch
reputation Of the Renville truce
agreement.
They said the Dutch suspended
communication between Batavia
and Kalieorang Saturday night, a
half hour after the committee had
been notified of the military action
Eighteen members of the committee
are at Kalieorang.
The committee told the Security
Council that lin reputation of the
Renville truce agreement, the Meth
erlands have not fulfilled the re-
quirements of Article 10 of the
truce agreement"
Dutch authorities have described
their offensive as police action"
against Indonesian terroristS.
Dutch paratroopers paved the way
for capture of Jogjakarta by drop
ping down on Magowo airf1eld, five
miles east of the city. They took
the field without resistance and
flashed an all clear for airborne
reinforcements TO come in.
One Fire in Capital.
Only one fire was observed in the
capital. The Indonesians said ear
lier that Jogjakarta had been
bombed.
A Dutch advance eastward in
Central Java supported the Jogja-
karta operation. Netherlands troops
along the Batavia ia-Jogjakarta trunk
railway advanced 40 miles from the
area of Gombong to- Poerworedjo,
about Is miles west of Jogjakarta.
Another Dutch column moving
(See INDONESIA, Page HA-4)