Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-23
Collapse Of Jokorto Rule
Feoredin Sumotro Coup


nomic crisis, along with army
unrest, were climaxed by the
army action in Sumatra, the
wealthiest island in the Indo-
nesian archipelago.
Col. Simbolon, a 37-year-old
army commander, declared he
was head of both civilian and
military departments in central
Sumatra. He said he would not
return authority to the central
government in Jakarta until the
peoples demands for economic
improvements are met"
SimbOlOn Suspended
Premier Sastroamidjojo's gov
eminent struck back with an
order suspending Col. Simbolon
from his military command and
accusing him of action against
the law and a danger to the
safety of the republic"
There was no indication that
Col. Simbolon would acknowl-
edge the order, which instructed
him to turn over his command
to deputy.
President Sukarno broadcast
an appeal for cooperation Of the
military and political leaders.
The medicine at this critical
time of transition in Indonesia
is that everybody mind his own
business" Mr.. Sukarno declared
IF you are a soldier. be a good
soldier and do not bother with
other things. This goes for poll
ticians, too. The army must
stand on the theology of the
state. A soldier who forgets his
VOW of loyalty is not a good
soldier"
Western embassy sources said
the Communists, who are not
represented in the government
were exploiting the situation and
blaming the United States for
disturbances in Sumatra.
The Communists mentioned the
presence in Sumatra Of two high
ranking Americans, Samuel C
Waugh, a Nebraskan who i;
president of the Export Import
Bank, and James c. Baird, head
of an International Cooperation
Administration mission to Indo-
nesia.
Everything Calm
Mr.. Baird returned to Jakarta
tonight and said he and MIR
Waugh found everything very
calm in Sumatra. We did not
know anything was going on"
Mr.. Waugh went on to Singa.
pore. Both men were in Sumatrs
to investigate a fertilizer-plant
project for which Indonesia
asked a SIT million loan.
There are 500 Americans In
Sumatra, and considerable
American investment. A spokes-
man for Standard and CalteS
Oil Companies said they were
not worried about their situa-
ton and did not believe their
properties would be affected.
Western embassy sources said
there were no indications of
fiareups in other parts of In
donesia, although unrest pre-
vailed in the island of Celebes
and parts Of Java and Bofpeo.
Reports here said the mar
who carried out the coup wa.
1t. Col. Achmad Husen. Anowr
as the Tiger Of Central Su.
matra." He was a guerrilla leader
In the revolt against Dutch rule
which resulted in Indonesia be-
ing proclaimed an Independent
republic in 1945.
But Col. Simbolon as com.
mander of central and northern
Sumatra appeared to be the ii.
tular leader. He was described
as a educated Protestant
of the warlike Batak tribe Of
North Sumatra. Some army Of.
ficers, who considered Col. Sim
bolon an honest man and simple
soldier. were reported pushing
him for the job as army CHIEF
Of staff.
Information Minister SubjidC
said orders were issued to Col
Simbolon after an emergency
meeting Of the premier and hi.
cabinet. The premier had
acknowledged the situation a.
critical. There were many who
predicted the government would
fall.
The government promised Il
do everything 1t could to i'm
prove living conditions in the
provinces. where there has beer
dissatisfaction against the rising
cost OF living. Sumatra has beer
demanding greater autonomy. A
government statement said bill;
to give more self-rule to the IL
provinces Of Indonesia are beinl
drawn up.
COnfers With SukarnO
Premier SaStroamidjoio con.
ferred with President Sukarno
Mai. Gen. Abdul Nasution, the
army chief OF staff, and with
other officials. Mr.. Sastroamid-
jojo put together a coalition
cabinet last March following 9
general election--the first in In
donesia's history.
One Of the members of the
cabinet is Russian Abdulgani
the foreign minister. The army
tried last August to arrest Mr.
Abdulgani on charges Of crimi-
nal corruption involving a print
Ing house scandal. A few days
ago the Nationalist Party an
nounced 1t had cleared the min
lister OF all charges.
But today the Indonesian At
Squuws in Majority
NEW WORK About an ne,