The following articles appeared in the Indonesian newspaper, *Merdeka*, published in Djakarta. They were written by a member of the *Merdeka* staff, Harris Sitompoel, while attending the International Seminar at Harvard University in 1955.

## THE AMERICA WHICH I SEE (Abridged)

Less than 19% of the population is interested in international affairs. Most of them are more concerned about their own life. At the moment, under Eisenhower's administration, America is experiencing a prosperity never before attained.

### Epoch of welfare

At the moment America's industry experiences an unsurpassed prosperity, and the people want to enjoy it. Because of the recession two years ago in which people received less wages, the Republican party suffered a loss in the mid-term elections. This brought a majority for the Democratic party in Congress. No international development would be able to influence America's way of thinking as did the above situation. Who wants to think of the possibility of a war where labor in the Ford factory can earn $600 a month? Their main concern is increasing their welfare, and this is born out by the fact that the U.S. is experiencing an extraordinary boom currently.

### Equitable distribution of income

High income, increasing production and new inventions, had made America the most prosperous industrial country in the world. In many branches of industry like General Electric and Chrysler, a new height of profit is achieved. Compared with other countries, America is a rich country and its wealth is equally enjoyed by about 160 million people.

There is also a constant search for knowledge. Business executives go back to school to learn new techniques. This shows the vitality of the American people. Possibility of war seems to be far away. This way of thinking is also

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based on confidence in their government. Although Americans are ready to face
a state of emergency, they would rather read Al Capp's cartoons and leave
international problems up to the State Department and Congress in Washington.

Eisenhower is still very popular and moviegoers clap their hands
whenever he appears on the newsreels. His dramatic speech directed toward
Bulganin in Geneva about world peace was warmly received by the people. They
have confidence in Eisenhower's administration: not only did he call back
America's troops from Korea but he also has been able to make America so power-
ful that war seems impossible. Until now the people still admire him - no
scandals are linked with his name. On the Dixon-Yates contracts he admitted
that he received wrong advice from his assistants. All this adds up to the fact
that the Democratic Party in Congress will think twice before attacking
Eisenhower's administration.

I am convinced that Eisenhower will win the presidential election if
nothing extraordinary happens. Political bosses I know in Boston admit that
Eisenhower with his famous grin is their only candidate. But his personality and
the changing of recession into prosperity will help him to win the election.
Republicans never discussed their losses at the mid-term elections, they want to
exploit the favorable situation now.

## Causes of progress in America.

The causes of progress lie in the spirit of its pioneers
who earned their living by becoming business-entrepreneurs
rather than being Government officials. About 100 years ago
America was still an agricultural country. Now it is the
financial center of the world.

With the spirit of its pioneers and supported by America's natural
resources, gradually America became one of the most powerful countries in the world.
Unlike other countries America has its own big domestic market. America's

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standard of living may sound materialistic for Asians because of the cars,
refrigerators, etc. which Americans need for their daily life. But they have
to work very hard to be able to buy these things, and this is the reason that they
don't feel superior in comparison with other nations. People who know that
Indonesia ranks third in the world in natural wealth are surprised that we are
not able to achieve the same standard of living as America.

## Capital and labor relations

The progress of America's industry is due to good relations between
capital and labor. Labor organisations try to get the best possible for their
members. In 1928 the minimum wage was 25 cents, now it is $1.00 an hour. Com-
pared with 1928 the present standard of living is twice as high, but labor wages
have jumped four times. These results, however, still do not satisfy American
laborers, and they are still looking for other ways to consolidate their position.

Industrialists are looking for methods to get labor more interested in
their industries. Each year jobs are offered to college graduates. By training
these people as business leaders they secure a competent management for their
industry.

Well organized plans and high efficiency are the secret words of
America's business.

America's economic system is based on an equal balance between factory
production and consumer spending. Publicity is one of the ways to attract people
to buy the products. Most of these products go to the domestic market. About
8 billion dollars are spent for publicity. Popular merchandise will be forgotten
as soon as there is no publicity of these articles. They continue their publicity
and this opens new opportunities and further economic development.

## Americans are kind and friendly

What is the effect of all this on the people? The old woman who used to

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clean my room at Harvard owns a radio, a T.V. set, a washing machine and a
refrigerator, as this is a common thing for thousands of other people of her
class. But this does not make them different from other nations. One finds
people who always seem to be in a hurry -- like in the movies -- only in large
cities, such as New York. The average American does not really appreciate this
way of living.

INDONESIA THROUGH THE EYES OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT (Abridged)

The ruling Republican Party considers Indonesian neutral
policy on the East - West conflict as neutrality toward
honesty and dishonesty, as represented by the two conflicting
economic systems of the world. Even the Democratic Party
views Indonesian neutrality as a policy based on emotions
rather than on reality.

Washington's view on Indonesia is rather pessimistic because of the
increasing political disintegration in Indonesia. It is rather difficult to
expect a contribution from the ten-year old Republic to the stabilisation of
democracy, because of the continuing conflict between national and religious
elements, which in India and the Philippines, as well as in other free countries
in Asia, form a firm basis for their independence.

Seen in this light, Washington is rather concerned about the happenings
in these last two years. The fall of the rather red colored national cabinet was
felt as a relief. But this feeling of relief was rather oppressed, because the
National Party, as an opposition party, still continue their relations with the
Communists. Washington is puzzled about the aims of this, at the moment, most
important party in Indonesia.

As seen by the State Department, Nationalism, which has made the liberation
of many Asian countries possible, and which could meet the challenge from outside

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now threatening the acquired freedom, is a power which has to be strengthened.
As it is now in Indonesia, the cooperation of the Nationalists and Communists
can only damage the strength of Nationalism, because Communism believes in inter-
nationalism. If for the nationalists this cooperation is a "political game" with
a definite purpose, they are going to make a mistake, because the Communist
Party has a reputation of being the most disciplined organisation in the world.
The only chance for the Nationalists is to be used by Communism rather than make
use of it.

## Subversive threats

The above situation developed the problem of subversion which can be a
very serious threat to Indonesia's freedom. Experts in the military planning
staff in the Pentagon said that the U.S. needs nine of its biggest divisions in
the Pacific, plus the power of its allies to protect Indonesia from a general
attack. But only Indonesia's own strength can properly meet the aggression from
inside.

The easing of the international political situation which found its peak
in Geneva's conference at the summit also changed the tactics of international
Communism, although basically there is no change in their aims. They prefer now
a tactic of subversion by affiliating themselves with the Nationalists. This is
what is happening in Indonesia and India. In India this change of tactic did not
bring a significant result because Indian leaders were aware of the dangers of
Communism. But in Indonesia people still believe that Communism will bring no harm
to Indonesia's freedom. The clash in the army, the political instability and the
economic deterioration form clear paths to aggression from inside. A subversion
in Indonesia could bring undesired consequences in America's military planning for
the whole Pacific. This is why Indonesia's development is followed carefully by
America's military and political experts.

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## Indonesia's neutral policy

The Democratic Party as well as the Republican Party considers Indonesia's neutral policy as a policy based on emotion rather than on reality. Although they do not doubt the fact that Indonesia is more close to Western Democracy than to Communism, it is not their responsibility to indicate for Indonesia which way to go. But if Indonesia wants to be neutral in its policy it must not only be powerful internally but must also have a stronger military power than the other Asian countries which are already a member of the Western military organisation. Reality forced us to see that Indonesia's neutral policy has been made possible by the strength of Western armaments in the Pacific and South East Asia. If these forces were not there it is doubtful whether Indonesia would ever be able to maintain its neutral policy, and also whether the aggression which begun in South Korea could ever be stopped without Western intervention.

America likes Indonesia to be a stable and powerful country so that it can manage its own affairs.

This neutral policy extended to internal party politics is dangerous, because less desirable situations and elements which try to ruin Indonesia can become stronger. Nehru and the Congress Party has made a positive statement about the Communist Party in their country, but Indonesia lacks this insight.

## Sympathy toward Indonesia

Americans are aware that the antagonism shown by Indonesians toward America does only come from a smaller part of the population which is trying to cut the relations between America and Indonesia.

America's sympathy toward Indonesia is not decreased because of this antagonism. The results of the election next month will be watched carefully by America.