The Republic purges Sumatra: numerous arrests
Eindhovensch Dagblad report (24 Sep 1948, p.5) on republican purge arrests of military officers in Tapanuli, Sumatra (Padang Sidempuan, Sibolga, Tarutung), with a second Aneta account that communist laskars effectively control the area. Also reports two executed 'terrorists' who used village women as cover in July raid
Delegation to the governor
Java-Bode, 28 Oct 1952, p. 2 (begins mid-article): after a Borneo demonstration a delegation sees Governor Murdjani; in Yogyakarta parties and organisations including Gerwis, PKI, PNI and Partai Wanita Rakjat sign a statement urging early general elections and warning that dissolving parliament now would strengthen fas
For and against dissolution of parliament (full page)
Whole page, Java-Bode, 28 Oct 1952, on the dispute over dissolving parliament after the 17 October affair: demonstrations in Medan and Banjarmasin and statements by GPII and PIN. A Yogyakarta joint statement, signed by Gerwis, PKI, PNI and Partai Wanita Rakjat among others, urges early elections and warns that dissolvi
Request for clarification on the 17 October 1952 affair
De Nieuwsgier, 6 Dec 1952: representatives of 18 parties and organisations in Surabaya, under the PNI, urge the government to clarify whether the 17 October 1952 affair was a coup, to act against all involved and to implement the Sophiaan motion. Gerwis is among the listed attendees (with PKI, PNI, SOBSI, Murba, Wanita
Joys and sorrows of Indonesia in the past year
Indische Courant voor Nederland, 7 Jan 1953, p. 3: year-in-review chronology for 1952 (selected entries translated). Mentions the August 1951 raids, the 17 October 1952 affair, release of East Java arrestees on 30 Oct, a goodwill mission to Kahar Muzakkar under Mrs Salawati (8 Apr), and Aidit and Njoto refused entry to
Tages-Anzeiger, 11 July 1959: Indonesia on the road to dictatorship
Tages-Anzeiger analysis (11 July 1959, signed Th. v. R.) of Sukarno's return to the 1945 constitution and the army's rising power under Nasution. Lists PKI-linked mass organisations, giving Gerwani 75,000 members alongside SOBSI, Pemuda Rakyat, BTI, and notes PKI's 1957 vote.
Backgrounds of the rebellion in Djakarta (conclusion)
Algemeen Handelsblad (1965-10-09), concluding part of 'Backgrounds of the rebellion in Djakarta': surveys PKI under Aidit, PNI infiltration (including its women's movement), PKI campaign against village ulama, the banned BPS and the army's rising role under Nasution. Names S.K. Trimurti as wife of Sajuti Melik and chai
U.S. Act As Tension Rises In Indies (Geraldton Guardian, 12 October 1965)
Geraldton Guardian, 12 Oct 1965, p. 1: wire report on rising tension as the Army purges Communists. Mentions a Radio Indonesia broadcast, via Radio Malaysia, that a crowd burned down the Aceh office of the Communist women's organisation Gerwani; Soviet leaders warn Sukarno against attacks on Communists; the US evacuate
U.S. Act As Tension Rises In Indies (Geraldton Guardian, 12 October 1965), duplicate
Geraldton Guardian, 12 Oct 1965, p. 1: wire report on rising tension as the Army purges Communists. Mentions a Radio Indonesia broadcast, via Radio Malaysia, that a crowd burned down the Aceh office of the Communist women's organisation Gerwani; Soviet leaders warn Sukarno against attacks on Communists; the US evacuate
Sukarno seeks to restore orderly rule (Globe and Mail, 12 October 1965)
Globe and Mail, 12 Oct 1965, p.8 (NYT/AP/Reuters wire): Sukarno returns to Jakarta and urges normal conditions two weeks after the 30 September coup; the army is cracking down on the PKI, with about 1,000 arrests. Malaysian radio reports a Muslim crowd sacked the Medan branch office of Gerwani, 'the Communist women's o
Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 12 October 1965: Normalisation in Indonesia
Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 12 Oct 1965, 'Normalisation in Indonesia' (Reuter/UPI wire digest). Items: armed Communists fleeing into Central Java mountains, Antara placed under military management, evacuation of American embassy families, and a Swiss ambassador's credentials. Relevant here: Malaysian radio, citing Radio Jaka
La Tribune de Genève, 19 October 1965: Ban on the Indonesian Communist Party - Sukarno's policy defeated by the army
La Tribune de Genève, 19 Oct 1965, AP report from Singapore: the PKI and all affiliated organisations, including Pemuda Rakjat, Gerwani and SOBSI, were banned by order of the Jakarta regional commander, nationwide, as 'organisations that took part in the failed coup'. Also banned: Peasants' Front, scholars' assembly an
Jakarta expects Subandrio's role will soon be played out
Twentsch Dagblad Tubantia (26 Oct 1965), Leffelaar from Jakarta: Subandrio's role expected to end; successors speculated. Reports Karya Bhakti's claim of a secret PKI meeting under Lukman attended by Mrs Mudigdio, Aidit's mother-in-law, and economist J. Piry. Army raids continue, Onrust island used as an internment cam
Straits Budget, 3 Nov 1965: army says wholesale slaughter of civilians in east Java
Straits Budget, 3 Nov 1965 (lead only). Reports a state of war declared in central Java, with the army saying Communists massacred civilians and Communists and Muslims fighting, citing Radio Jakarta. Typical army-sourced framing of the killings; matched on Gerwani.
South China Sunday Post-Herald, 7 Nov 1965, p.30 (Reuter, Djakarta, 6 Nov): the Armed Forces bulletin says nine 'suicide squad' members of Gerwani, the Communist Women's Organisation, were killed by troops after standing in the path of army tanks in Solo, jeering and turning their backs when asked to leave. The item al
Freiburger Nachrichten, 8 November 1965: Indonesia - the hunt for communists continues
Freiburger Nachrichten, 8 Nov 1965, 'Indonesia: hunt for Communists continues' (Reuter/AFP). Citing the Army newspaper, paratroopers killed nine women described as 'suicide fighters of Gerwani' who tried to block army tanks near Solo, shot after warning shots; also arrests in Cilacap, suspensions in Kalimantan, a 'holy
Indonesia: KOTI Overhaul Could Show Where Power Is (Canberra Times, 15 November 1965)
Canberra Times, 15 Nov 1965, p. 5 (AAP): Suharto says Sukarno's KOTI command will be overhauled; analysis of the Sukarno-Army power struggle and Subandrio's fate. Reports that 1,000 women marched on government offices backing the anti-Communist purge and presented a National Front resolution announcing suspension of Ge
Indonesia: KOTI Overhaul Could Show Where Power Is (Canberra Times, 15 November 1965), duplicate
Canberra Times, 15 Nov 1965, p. 5 (AAP): Suharto says Sukarno's KOTI command will be overhauled; analysis of the Sukarno-Army power struggle and Subandrio's fate. Reports that 1,000 women marched on government offices backing the anti-Communist purge and presented a National Front resolution announcing suspension of Ge
Straits Times, 8 Dec 1965: almost overlords yesterday, almost outlaws today (Dennis Bloodworth)
Straits Times, 8 Dec 1965, by Dennis Bloodworth (lead only). Analysis of how Indonesian Communists, implicated in the 'ruthless but abortive' 1 October coup, miscalculated their moment, strength and strategy, and the army's savage determination. Matched on Gerwani and PKI; lead does not name Gerwani.