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12/8/1952 - The October 17 Crisis by Boyd R. Compton

BRC The October Crisis NOT FOR PUBLICATION iNSTITUTE OF CUKIENT WOLD AFFAIIS Asrama iahasiswa Pegangsaan Timur Djakarta Indone December Mr W S Rogers Institute Gurrnt World Aflairs Fifth Avenue New York City Dear Mr Hogers After October demonstration ainst Parliament Indonesi witnessed succession political disturbances Per weeks seemed slightest pressure direction would throw young republic anarchy civil But Djakarta quiet Parliment session crisis tempor dissolved Obviously rifts recently reveled political elite temporarily hidden The onisms which produced recent disturbnces almost tensions future The current political provides opportunity approximate evaluation fcters which opera recent ontinua determine events I aproximate evation because basic information connected October public The following summry isbdon daily reading Djakart newspapers interviews several jeurnslists oliticians In aspect crisis licated skirmish political power groups individuals Indonesian elite From other points jurisdictional struggle between Parliament Ministry Defansa between Djakarta various regions Underlying struggles contention generally opposed views natianl development gener reorganization aanmy articular The occasion crisis series parlimentsa debates Armed Forces The story roughly devided parts parliamentary debates Parliament demonstrtion repercussions Eov ernment ttempts solution The P liamentry_ DebatesI The dramatic story beEan early certain Colonel Bmbang Supine penly expressed dissatisfactiam situation As group Jap traime officers assumed lasitions military leadership during early revolution strongly criticil mawag policy initiated under inister Defense Suktan Hamengko Buweno X Djagjakarta He charged spirit revelntiem being destroyed cmrruption mimmmggement widespred Indonesi Socialist Party Sutan Sjahrir gaining olitcally inancially leaders These charges should considered light criticisms which levelled against Bambng Speno Tjandradimuka officers school which director It claimed anese style military sirit previled school emIhsis political ideological mission When spirit criticized exponents political rofessional Bambang Sueno directly President Sukarno problem News meeting reached Army Headquarters Djakrt Bambn Supeno reprimanded meeting officers Claiming meeting stitted trial declared outside competence sueriors reportedly meetin Alter rimnd resented criticisms directly Defense Section Pr liament Cabinet series letters which public On July dismissed having bypssed superiors hving ttempted oosition within caruso The final order dismissal signed Hmenko Bmwono Less matter being discussed Cbinet accordin Djakrta newspaper This report Sult responsibility conduct ministry would resident interfersnce Durin newspapers spoke confli etween Hmengko Buwono President Skarno Bmbng Sup mtters referred letters On Sultan admitted There conflict President there difference opinion It seems clear Presidentd rticipate directly Armed orces Parliament dispte after ffmly His however monstly ponents Sultan Armed orces leadership After newspaper Ken Po reclle standing greement between Sukarno Vice President Hatta IndenesiaaArmed orces2ItclaimedthatHttfvoredthe merit small rofessional while Sukrno rgued tenance revolutionary ideological The comment meanin8 terms rofessional ideolo difficult understand except context comliceted history revolution Especially pertinent history strgle between Smkrno Sjahrir contentionbetween those workedwith theanend those degree romise could tolerated Dutch These related issues figured prominently dispute developed arliament Prliment reaction Bambng Sueno letter immediate explosive It discussed first Defense Section brought floor closed plenary sessions Ater August recess mtter pursed further finally presented session Septeber Hmsngo Buwone insistnce In sessiens which lasted until Gcoe highly combusti Prliament exposed ublic Why letter cause turmoil Prliament Primarily because touched issnes The first issue reorganization It perhaps accidental Bembang Supeno letter reched Defense Section Prliment major dispute inistry Dele already brewing The ministry S eornization which disturbing Colonel Bambang Supeno called rationalization organization reduction around D00 D00 Inevitably rocess selection wouldhaveeliminatedmaoftheoorly educte linefi hterso revolutionary armies The called continued presence small Dutch military mission which givin technical advice since transfer sovereignty December To certain violently ntionalistic elements Parliament seemed attack spirit personnel revolutionary surrender western infZuences A second major issue Parliament jurisdiction Several mbers Defense Section lyrss statements September effect sound devel0pment Armed orces could statutes provided Prliament Three years parliamentary sessions produced these statutes Defense Section The Bambn Supeno members portunity attack inistry Defense competence disciplinary mtters before resular procedure legalized Parliament Representative Pitoi Gre Indonesian Party PIR ursed Bmb Supeno reviewed court mrtial consivting President certain Cbinet members representatives ramthe The political osition Defense Section fctor quick development Armed Porces crisis Twelve twenty members parties which strongly opposed Indonesian Soci Party especially semsitive chres western influence andugeneral reement 1resident Sukarno Azmed Forces issue The Bmbng Supeno ntural ammunition warfare The RRedictability Indonesian party struggle three motions advanced during parlia mentary debates The BaharuddiR motion confidence inister Defense demand reorganization Armed Force leadershi ecall Dutch Mission TheniSohiaaR PN I motion create State Cmmittee investigate Armed Forces recommend changes their leadership calling recall Dutch Milit Mission The Kasim Natsir Prkindasjumi motion creating investigation cencludin rieri chnes ncessary Armsd orceS The motion Zainal Baharmddin chairmanf Deensm Sectiem supported coalitio right Prole Part Prtaiurba cllctien Stalini Sts Greater Indonesian Unian P I R Ntienl People Party P R N conservative estzn splinters Indonesian Ntienalist Party regional Soth Kalimantan Brn This amazing caliten cnatitted riginal positien Nilm Cbinet resented Parliamentrlier Th Enai Sehian motion supported primarily Indonesian Nationalist P P N I Indenesia second largest Additional offered right Islamic aties P S I I Nahdatul Ulama Indonesian Communist Part which recently following rather quiet olicy united Iront Th P NI stand bafilin ssage Se phian motion seemed threa existence PN nserd cbinet This destructive P N I Ntsir Cabinet forced resign because P NI motion which later impossible carry In excited tmosphere right ctivity gainst iinistry Defense criticized Indenesiau Socialist remained virtually The P S I leade Parliament Subadio Sastrostomo public statement effect Parliament should interfere executive functions government This theme taken socialist press which roundly criticized arliment abusing position neglecting vital tasks national construction The combattirg extremist motions hsjumi young leader hammad Ntsir The sjumi joined several smaller middle parties advance third motion listed above Strategy apparently first accep tance motion substitute thenn official government statement ccepting ntents compromise motion The motion would withdrawn crisis could The asjumi strategy faile complete The isjumi withdrew motion P N I insisted supporting voting started morning October The_ PNI sponsored cbinet expressed willingness accept motino On first Baharuddin motion feared easily backers switched their support PI motion which assed handily After session ended hiohammd Natsir dmitte going The Anti Parliament Demenstrtie Early morning October crowd approximately O00 demonstrated round Parliament building Djakart breaking urniture carrying signs which demanded Prliament dissolutien Another crowd milled around nearby Cabinet building The emonstrators inally found their President palhee While lositions around President Sukarm launched brilliant seech delivered deliberate stirrin manner He claimed dissolve Paliament intentian becoming dictator He segment opultion Indonesia would country saess public opinion zegions When finished dispersed The demonstrators generally 2acaful humored despite breakage furniture Parliamant Their signs Irrinted advanca their handbills machine printed crowd arrived trucks Swift steps taken local_ military command insure order Martial declared eight curfew force meetings leople prohbited newspapers magazine mloaed rominent jailed The litiaians vigorous alanents inister Befense during parliamentam debates The masphere tense Djakarta asrand carriers latro streets The steps taken insure order seemed ofortiont seriousness demonstration A demonstration I visited friends oDjakarta orest districts found almost toally uninform Parliamentary debates nature demonstration ISle itudea political parties They aguely aware demonstration conscious txublesome curfeW Judging their attitudes excitement October momnoly upper classes During reahed Djakrta similar dmnstrati Semarang Bandrmasin DjKjakart other large cities The following tensio Djakrta eased ticians released banned newsp apers resumed publication fewwas lifted Both demonstration actions benmnasthe ctober17 Incident WhilePresidentSukarno visited Sumatra East Java newsmen politicians ordinary citizens mning lauding defining October The newspapers politicians fought linister Defense during receding weeks claimed attemp Most vocif these editor B M Dish daily erdka openly charged Sjahrir masterminded deonst gtion attempted ssistnce cfderates What actually hapened October Several statements light incident complete explanatien offered public The first statement taarfu admission retired Colonel ustee dentist organized ntire demon strtion He startling claim preparations owell dvance peaceful demonstration learned irresponsible slements tilize demonstztion their purses President Skarno himself requested ersonally demonstration called But mssage erlier plans materialized A second clarifying statement O October Colonel Sutok Assistant Army Chief Stff Army IntelligenCeo According Sutoko officers during parliamentary debate It agreed parliamentary dbtes constituted threat state regional commanders would stand behind Armed orces leadership current crisis knong those present Lieutenant Colonel Suwonde Est Java Lieutenant Colonel Kesasih South sumatra Th group President before speech October In presence Hamengko Buwono Irmy Chief Stff Colonel Nsation presented request Smkarno dissolve Parliment appoint rpresenttive SUtoko claims We children could asked settle matter Sute statement describe October demonstra mlaimed offic participted directly headed cannont palace To counteract dangerous Sutoko ordered another there units I ammunition placed cannon If fired situation would explodedo I could God A different version October meeting President given early December Armed Forces Bureau Information This statement claimed Colonel Nasution spokesman requested dissolution Parliament arrest scores members certain military officers It quoted conversation Nasution We President declare danger throughout Indonesia power Commander Chief Sukarno Do I becom dictator Nasution Ii necessry Sukarno If I become dictator I posts dismiss The rsident trned oicra rquso Th vracity since hotly dnied Army Headquarters It seems reasonable conclude after passage lanai Sohiaan motion Colonel Nasution group athetie officers regional commanders improvlse ahaty defense considered their nationel interests They seized opportu provided demonstration present request President Sukarno charge His refusal accepted despite Nasution command military units least West Java This hardly considered attempted d4tat officers involved certainly accused dangerous excitability direct meddling volitical matters No p_romf offered editor Dish Eerdeka October affair coordinated conceived Sjahri It mistake conside Sulta Hamengk Bwono officer meeting Sjahrir group because shred certain ideas P S I The Salten political force right perhaps rester political otentil Sjahrir himself Injo Beng Goat editor Ken analysed entire criss chapter standing competitian between Sjahrir Sukarno seems reasonable struggle between Sukrno Sultan since started their disagreement Bamban Smpeno It seems inconceivable Sjhrir intelli gence would principal military participants Djkerte their troops From available information crisis seems result plnning plotting series strong reactions imagined facts PreSident reacting BambanK Supeno Parliament reactinK reorKanization S I influence Dutch ission finally officers reacting Parliament decision Th disturbin reactions place outside capital Surabaya Macas P In month following October icident younK officers three nation eight reKional military commands desposed their superior officers seized power East _Java_ 0October Lieutenant Colonel Suwondo returned fromDjakrta temvorary commander Brawidjaja Division East Java Soon after arrival Surabaya arrested subordinate Lieutenant Colonel Sudirman plicity attempt seize power Djakarta October Two laterr official delegation Army Headquarters Djaka confirmed Sudirman On October Sudirman radio speech which professed loyalty Presi ommander Chief asked return original revolutionary spirit oinion steps offici leadership Armed Forces contradict principles democracy Two weeks I inister Defense visited Surabaya E Java problem already settled Sudirman immedi registered public surprise Sultan tement stating there wasrel East Java problem Djakarta roblem acassar8 On Saturday November Colonel Gatot Subrote military mmander Territory VII East Indonesia relieved Chief Staff Lieutenant Colonel arouw issued following statement After hearing attempted number officers aainst President principles state noting attitudes actions Cmmandin Officer Territ VII after failure attem Chief Staff bring CeHLmandi Officer right decided command Territory VII order brine ladezsh We surrender command issues within Armed Forces settled Cemmander President Sukarneo The Warouw stated theft unwillin receive inister Defense Army Chief Staff their repesed visit acassar Unless special mandate President He lained further taken asures against Clenel Gatot Subroto because sided Minister Defense Vice President Hatta controversy South Snma Three weeks after return Palembang Ocer meeting Sukarne Lieutenant Colonel Kesasih Commanding Officer Territory II icers command He admitted however efficers disgruntled reorg nization program Two weeks later removed subordinate Lieutenant Colonel Kretarto ollowin example Sudirman areuw Kretarto charged Commanding Officer artiCipation October affair ledged llegiance directlyto Sukarno Cemmander He called renewal revolutionary spirit within Armed Ferces Governmen _Attempts_ Solution_ The problem October repercussions remains basically unsolved seven weeks after catalytic demonstration against Parliament This lengthy period eventually described patience hesitation depending final effectiveness government actionso To these actions limited Faced staying preventing right Islamic Communist Th government propensity compromise seems Sarmno P N I calld Eastern Way recent speech Parliament We East State EasternState ourGGernmentiau Eastern Government Prliment Estern Parliament Th Eastern Wy difficult westerners understnd The Eastern Sirit prefers possible solution rather arguing problems Would possibly disgreement The Ester Spirit prefers synthesis factors rather allowing these ftors destroy another Sarton observation penetrating there denying patience compromise stormy political climat Innesia But ttitude solution problems merely postponement consequences Will personnel loyalty emotional remain corner stone olitical orEanization functioning bureaucratic organizations developed Personal evotion friends ledrs Sukarno outstandin feature Of recent In general there little evidence organization withia political parties being impersonally according fixed rules programs Is Eastern Way writers claim Or idication political roups organized according uniform clearly defined group interests Of Ind nesian political parties asjumi P S I Communist Party perhaps predictable This because rther defined interests developed something approaching nization discipline The P N I other alliance elements extremely diverse origin interest policy wvers roposals cntradict Will P N I split further meaningful Eroups Will continue slide around Perhaps years general election The importance personal lyalty organized politics seems characteristic relatively elite Will Indonesia lolitica elite gradually through education economic portunitieS Will elections leaders elite labor rural cooperatives Islamic nizations Will professional disciplined develop Indonesia Both sides crisis represented rticulr military Almost every crisis military officers resent unauthorized peliticl statezents presso The ctiens Nasutien group Warouw Sudirmn Ertarte weuld considered impossible breaches discipline armies But Indonesi three years should judged freign stndrdso However attitude North Sumatr newspaper difficult reconcile hepeos military stability Indonesia We aprove relieving military speriors orderly manner there really suflicient territorial commnder infringed Up military Will miiitrism develop Induesia If nearly resemble Japan mystical aggressive tarism China former arlordism officers pridically Thailand Venzuela Will regionaism become destructive centrifugal force Indonesia Lieutenant Colonel dnied ction alism separatist Sulawesi nything slogs EacassAr following power Long Est Indonesian State United Sulawesi The Sulawesi situation miniscent Chin thirtis Kuomintang chieved appearances unity thraugh local warlords ldged allgia government retained control their regions Will factors Islmic unity national imagined threats central control vital East Sumatra revenuas overcome regionalistic tendencies Wt future asjumi Islamic community Ind nsian politics The sjumi currently stablin because security ition conservative power organize tremendous support lready component Islamic orgnizations To degree asjmi succeed organizational Does Indonesian Islamic community enough unity common interest upport strong political parity There already three Islmic prties There chancre 5asjumi itself split because conflict between essive Natsir monservative Islamic rties continue ntmally repre diverse social economic rather reliiousgreu What effect extreme nationalism western influences Indonesia Nationalistim symbols continue exercise owerful appeal Indonesian olitics especially those which onncted Dutch An attitude tower Dutch ilitry Nission centroversy The symbo positiv ative When Sukrno delivrs speech Indonesia rights Irian Western New senting symbol which strengthens ntional unity When argues military disturbances West Java duerily foreign influences norinK desperate econm situation West Java olitical advta Such misrepresentation whether intentional aertinly threat national unity The ttitudes P N I other prties toward foreign concessions Sumatra Seful ontiuuinK vitality western mnationalism during theCom Oil threatens become major after general elections onstitutionl Assembly The issue raised specific questions general divisions Indonesian political problem disturbances October crisis The answers depend literally hundreds factors ranging general elections production synthetic lubber United States waitin these nswers become pparent events ssing momentous importance Indonesia It possible decisions psstponed during which determine future In Yours sinaerel BoydR Comp Notes Indonesis present orary Parliament ppointed It esult amalamotion egislative bodies Dutch sponsor ederated Republic Indonesia R I S Republic Indonesia R I Its members devidd political factions Ken PO oldest Indo nesian newspapers It Chinese owned considered reliable edeka edited crusadins B Diah intensely Sjahrir Its source rently ection writing outstndinly biased country party newspapers Pe Indonesian Socialist Party newspper It highly critical present Parli senerally favored dissolution Aba Iiasjumi Party organ tried strand middle durin crisis Evidentally controlled party Natsir faction Abad_ support Sukiman stand After declaration independence August number armed bodies supported revolution From official these Tentara Republic Indonesia certin extent basen officers units Japanese created P E T A By largely through efforts Defense iinister Sjarifuddin lgamated other units Tentara Nasional Indonesia With creation unitary Republic Indonesia August T N I combined elements Dutch native K N I L rsent A DR I Indonesian Nationalist Party P N I Nahdatul Ulm United Indonesian Islamic Party P S I I Progressive Union Greater Indonesian Union I R National People Party P R N Labor Party Indonesian Popular Allaince S K I Zainl Bharuddin party The Communist Party members should added figure fourteen members considered unfriend reor6anization The Ared Forces dership refers Army Chief Staff Colonel Nasution Armed Forces Chief Stffajor General Smatupang inistry Defense Secretry General Alibudiardjo The phrase sometimes includes inister Defense The 5asjumi Party Islamic union As sponsor P N I Wildpo Cabine general suppor inister Defense Control pssed N recent congress Since October official party tements coming forme Chirmn Sukiman friends These Sta indicate intra party disput possible ascendancy Sukiman fction again This cabine generally popular The P N I iiasjumi seats Prime liinister Wilopo PNI inister Internal Afairs Room Masjumi The PN I sjumi representatives progressive wings their rties PoNI backinE Sophia motion Parliament rties nationalistic elements acassar largest island SuIawesi ormerl Clebs Before October demons tration Subroto claimed would Sultan forced resign Subroto unopular command perhaps because Javanese Thm P NI rsembles prewar Kuomintang certin except curse communist rganizational structure which Kuomintang toEether The mystical nationalism Chiang Kai sheks China_ Dest recalled PNI statements Many P N I members government officials busessme solid E T tradition This course other Indonesian parties Received New York