THE NEW COLONIALISTS SIR,—While acting as host to the President
of Indo- nesia, Mr. Nehru called for the abolition of the last vestiges of colonialism. The Indonesians have never had any contact with Irian, by trade, conquest or travel. The inhabitants of the two countries differ fundamentally in race, language, religion, culture and habits of thought. Yet in spite of these diffi- culties, the Indonesians still wish to occupy Irian in order to extend to its inhabitants those blessings of order, security, justice and prosperity which pre- vail in their own islands; though all the indications are that the inhabitants of Irian would only wel- come them to dinner.
This incident makes clear at last the foundations of UN's moral judgments. What in the Indonesian is but a generous deed is in the European rank colonialism.—Yours faithfully,
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