14 JANUARY 1949, Page 16

INDONESIA

SIR,—Mr. Dennis Outwits has seized upon two of the subsidiary points which I raised in justification of the Dutch_action, but he has not refuted what was in fact the main cause for their intervention, namely, the marauding of Dutch territory by members of the Republic. I presume therefore that this submission still stands.

With regard to the other points. Surely the refusal by Dr. Hatta of Dutch assistance to deal with the Communists leaves some doubt as to where his sympathies would lie if he had to choose between Dutch rule and Communism. The willing surrender of Republican troops recently, however, has indicated which system would be preferred by the people. Secondly, Mr. Churchill, like all other reasonable men, warmly acknow- ledged the magnificent war-time efforts of Russia, but I need hardly say that he has not, like Dr. Soekarno, advocated the imposition of the Russian way of life contrary to the wishes of his people.—I am, Sir,

your obedient servant, ANTHONY GRANT. 19 King Edward's Grove, Teddington, Middlesex.