Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-09-05

TOr WOrId seen
Asia RevoIts
the government police, seized the
ports OF Moulmein and Thaton in
the Tenasserim coastal strip less
than 100 miles east and southeast
of the capital.
Previous intelligence reports re-
ceived here said Burmese battalions
have deserted to the rebels almost
without exception. The most loyal
troops were the non-Burmese-
Kachins, Chins, Karens and other
hill tribesmen.
Confusion Seen in Burma.
The Karen revolt could be ex-
ceptionally grave since the Karens
are important in the armed forces.
One possible solution in Burma
would be to form an extreme leftist
coalition government of Socialists,
the P. v. o. and the White Flag
Communists. But even II feasible,
such a solution would be likely to
result in other revolts among the
more conservative hill tribes and
army units still loyal to the govern
ment.
| So the best information indicates
that Burma is in for long period
of confusion.
The situation in Burma is es-
pecially important, since she is the
rice bowl of Asia. Decreased rice
supplies from Burma would be a
serious blow to rice-hungry Asia
and might result in fresh disorders
in other parts of the Orient.
Burmas troubles are not expected
to result in a reduction in her rice
exports before 1949, however, unless
the rebels should capture and hold
important ports.
New Warfare Possible.
Renewal of warfare in Indonesia
within four months is strong pos
sibility, according to confidential
information received here. 1t may
come about in one of two ways.
First, the Communists who have
just swallowed up the Socialist,
Labor and Young Socialist Parties,
may join with the Indonesian Army
and attempt a coup d'etat against
Premier Mohamed Hatta's moderate
Indonesian republican government.
The Indonesian Army is known to
be closely linked with former Pre-
mier Amir Sjarifoeddin, who has
just declared that secretly he has
been a Communist since 1885
Diplomats here believe that the
Dutch Army of 10000 men would go
into action against the republic i'm
mediately if it fell under Com
munist sway. Foreign military OBJ
servers say the Dutch Army could
defeat the Republican forces with
little difficulty or delay.
War May be Resumed.
Second, even if the moderates
stay at the helm in the republic
at Jogjakarta. fighting may be re-
sumed after the first OF the year.
The Dutch are going ahead with
formation of United States Of In
donesia composed of autonomous"
states they created. So far the re-
public has refused to come into the
U. S. of l. Most foreign observers
here believe the interim govern
ment of the U. S. of l. will issue
final invitation to the republic to
join 1t early next year but with
no rights greater than those en-
joyed by the smaller Dutch created
states.
Should such an invitation be re-
fused, most observers here expect
that the interim government
which would claim to speak in be-
half of all 1ndonesians-would ask
the Dutch Army to break the re-
publican government and install
new leaders who would play ball
with the Indonesians now cooper
ating with the Dutch.
theoretically, this would be an
internal" matter outside the atten-
ton of the United Nations.
Indo-China Situation Grave.
The situation in Indo-China also
is grave, according to authoritative
reports. Military informants say
the French forces-l00000 men-are
insufficient at present to defeat the
Viet-Nam republics brilliantly Or
ganized guerrillas who swarm over
the countryside.
Diplomatic reports indicate that
the French political offensive has
failed, too. Pro-French Gen. Nguyen
Van Xuan's central Viet-Nam gov
eminent" which the French prom
ised to install with limited powers
of self-rule, has failed to catch pop
ular Imagination or support. SO
has the idea of restoring the former
Emperor Bao Dai.
One source summed it up this
way: Indo-China is becoming
Southeast Asias Palestine. The
French for reasons of prestige cam
not pull out, but cannot win back
the country. Indo-China may be
battle-ground for years. What was
Frances richest colony may be a
financial burden she can Ill afford.
Malaga Situation Not Serious.
The weight of Britain military
operations is beginning to tell in
Malaga, where the situation is not
as serious as official announcements
first indicated. From 1000 to 5000
Chinese Communist insurgents and
few Indian collaborators must yet
be hunted down in the jungle,
wearing process that may take a
year. But any threat to tin and