WIDF Bulletin no. 5/1952 'The Women of Indonesia': a WIDF-sympathetic account of postwar Indonesia in 1952, covering militarised budgets, unemployment, hunger, maternal and infant mortality, the Round Table legacy and US agreements. It says women formed committees for 8 March and Children's Day and that local GERWIS br
Indonesian workers defend their unity; Gerwis congress resolution on Round Table agreement
De Waarheid, 16 Jan 1952, p. 4: report on workers' protests against Sjahrir's PSI splitting unions (the Perbupri breakaway from SOBSI's plantation union Sarbupri in Jember). A closing section says the Gerwis annual congress in Surabaya unanimously demanded abolition of the Round Table Agreement and return of New Guinea
Indonesian women's organisation demands introduction of a marriage law
De Waarheid, 16 Jan 1952, p. 5: correspondent report from Surabaya on Gerwis's annual congress (Dec 1951), whose main resolution demands a marriage law setting minimum ages (men 20, women 17) against widespread child marriage, and giving local women's organisations the role of monitoring compliance and prosecuting viol
Gerwis and the maltreatment: statement on an assault case
Fragmentary De Vrije Pers item (24 Jan 1952): a Gerwis statement on an assault, urging the government to handle it lawfully, punish the suspect, and bear the medical costs and upbringing of the child involved. OCR is heavily garbled, so names and circumstances are unclear.
Pancasila proves a hindrance: Gerwis explains adoption of People's Democracy
De Vrije Pers report (12 Feb 1952) on a Gerwis meeting explaining its adoption of "People's Democracy" instead of Pancasila as its basis, since Pancasila had hampered organising. Speakers (Miss Moedjiati, Miss Muninggar) described anti-imperialist, anti-feudal aims, a national front against the RTC, and insisted Gerwis
ACDWF telegrams for 8 March 1952, including Cai Chang to Gerwis (Renmin Ribao, 6 March 1952)
Renmin Ribao, 6 Mar 1952 (p. 4): All-China Democratic Women's Federation (Cai Chang) telegrams for International Women's Day to the WIDF, Soviet, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, Indian, German and Burmese women's bodies and to the Indonesian Gerwis. The Gerwis message praises Indonesian women's role in the independence s
ACDWF telegrams for 8 March 1952, including Cai Chang to Gerwis (Renmin Ribao, 6 March 1952)
Renmin Ribao, 6 Mar 1952 (p. 4): All-China Democratic Women's Federation (Cai Chang) telegrams for International Women's Day to the WIDF, Soviet, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, Indian, German and Burmese women's bodies and to the Indonesian Gerwis. The Gerwis message praises Indonesian women's role in the independence s
Indonesian cabinet crisis continues; Gerwis appeals after Sukiman's fall
De Waarheid, 18 Mar 1952, p. 2: news item on the Indonesian cabinet crisis after the fall of the Sukiman government over the US Mutual Security agreement signed by Subardjo. Notes that calls for an anti-fascist, anti-imperialist government reached Jakarta from the Gerwis national board, SOBSI and the peasants' union RT
Gerwis protests Egyptian ban on women voting
De Nieuwsgier, 17 Apr 1952: Gerwis hands a letter to the Egyptian consulate protesting the Cairo governor's decision that women may not take part in Egyptian elections, and urges Egypt to withdraw it. Early example of Gerwis's international women's-rights solidarity.
Kartini Day commemoration in Jakarta, 1952
De Nieuwsgier, 24 Apr 1952 (Aneta): a packed Jakarta hall marks Kartini Day, organised by women's and girls' associations including Gerwis and PPI, with the Indonesia Raya and Kartini songs, a minute's silence, a speech by Miss Ainun of Pemuda Puteri Indonesia and a handicraft exhibition. AURI wives held a separate com
Impressive demonstrations throughout Indonesia (May Day 1952)
De Waarheid, 2 May 1952, p. 3: dispatch on May Day demonstrations across Indonesian cities by committees including SOBSI, Pemuda Rakjat and the women's organisation Gerwis; Jakarta rally at Merdeka Square. Reports government attempts to prevent them, including bans in Surabaya on discussing germ warfare and carrying po
Asia-Pacific peace conference preparations; Indonesian sponsors include Gerwis chair (Renmin Ribao, 17 May 1952)
Xinhua report in Renmin Ribao, 17 May 1952 (p. 1), on responses from twenty countries to Soong Ching-ling and Guo Moruo's call for an Asian and Pacific Regional Peace Conference in Beijing. For Indonesia it lists eleven sponsors named in April, including Suwati (Suwarti), MP and chairman of Gerwis, plus Setiadi, Siauw
Asia-Pacific peace conference preparations; Indonesian sponsors include Gerwis chair (Renmin Ribao, 17 May 1952)
Xinhua report in Renmin Ribao, 17 May 1952 (p. 1), on responses from twenty countries to Soong Ching-ling and Guo Moruo's call for an Asian and Pacific Regional Peace Conference in Beijing. For Indonesia it lists eleven sponsors named in April, including Suwati (Suwarti), MP and chairman of Gerwis, plus Setiadi, Siauw
FBIS, 17 May 1952: Conference appeal receives responses (Asia-Pacific Peace Conference)
FBIS-monitored Xinhua report (17 May 1952) on responses from 20 countries to the call for an Asia-Pacific Peace Conference in Peking. The Indonesian section lists 11 sponsors chosen in April, including Suwarti, member of Parliament and president of Gerwis, plus Setiadi, Tjoa Sik Ien, Dharta (Lekra), Djawoto (Antara), S
False accusations: Gerwis answered by Mrs Roosevelt
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1952-05-19, p. 2): Eleanor Roosevelt replied to a letter Gerwis gave her in Jakarta in April, rejecting its claim that UN forces used bacteriological weapons in Korea, denying that the UN suppresses peoples' freedom, and disputing its account of Palestinian Arab displacement. Shows Gerwis's Co
Mrs Roosevelt denies Gerwis's allegations of bacteriological warfare
De Nieuwsgier, 19 May 1952: Eleanor Roosevelt, replying to a Gerwis letter handed to her in Jakarta in late April, rejects its allegations of UN bacteriological warfare in Korea and suppression of a people's freedom, and the claim that the West drove a million Arabs from their homes. Third press version of this exchang
Mrs Roosevelt answers Gerwis's allegations
De Locomotief, 20 May 1952: severely garbled OCR of the report on Eleanor Roosevelt's reply to the Gerwis letter delivered during her Jakarta visit, rejecting claims that the US used bacteriological weapons in Korea and addressing Arab refugee allegations. Companion to the Arnhemsche Courant item of 27 May 1952; fragme
Mrs. Roosevelt did not agree
Arnhemsche Courant, 27 May 1952: a short item reports Eleanor Roosevelt's reply, during her Jakarta visit, to a letter from Gerwis. She rejected its claims that the UN used bacteriological weapons in Korea and suppressed peoples, and denied the US drove a million Arabs from their homes. Shows Gerwis's Cold War peace st
Daily Worker, 27 May 1952: 20 nations pick delegates for Asia peace parley
Page 4 of the Daily Worker (New York, 27 May 1952) with a roundup of 20 countries naming delegates for the Asian Peace Conference preparatory meeting in Peking. The Indonesian list includes a member of Parliament named as president of the Indonesian Women's Movement ('Olpuwarti' in garbled OCR), alongside SOBSI, Lekra-
Delegates arrive in Beijing for Asia-Pacific peace conference preparatory meeting, incl. Gerwis chair
Xinhua report in Renmin Ribao, 30 May 1952 (p. 1), listing delegates from fifteen countries arriving in Beijing for the preparatory meeting of the Asian and Pacific Regional Peace Conference. The Indonesian group is Suwati (Suwarti), deputy chief delegate, MP and chairman of Gerwis; Hartoyo of the Peasants' United Fron
Delegates arrive in Beijing for Asia-Pacific peace conference preparatory meeting, incl. Gerwis chair
Xinhua report in Renmin Ribao, 30 May 1952 (p. 1), listing delegates from fifteen countries arriving in Beijing for the preparatory meeting of the Asian and Pacific Regional Peace Conference. The Indonesian group is Suwati (Suwarti), deputy chief delegate, MP and chairman of Gerwis; Hartoyo of the Peasants' United Fron
Analysis of Communist Propaganda in Indonesia (OIR 5714.7, 1952)
OSS/State Department report OIR 5714.7 (30 May 1952) analysing PKI propaganda: party structure, front organisations, relations with international communism and themes. Names Gerwis under Mrs Mudigdo as the communist vehicle competing with Kowani for women, and BTI under S. Sardjono; appendices cover publishing, films,
FBIS, 3 June 1952: Details of meeting - preparatory meeting for the Asian and Pacific Peace Conference, Peking
FBIS-monitored Xinhua report (3 Jun 1952) on the opening of the preparatory meeting for the Asia-Pacific Peace Conference, Peking: 49 delegates from 19 countries. The Indonesian delegation is Suwarti (Gerwis president), Suroso and Surjonegoro; Suwarti is on the presidium and the manifesto drafting commission, and Indon
Interview with Indonesian delegates Suwarti (Gerwis) and Sujonegoro (Renmin Ribao, 6 June 1952)
Interview in Renmin Ribao, 6 June 1952 (p. 4, by Kong Dongping), with Indonesian delegates Suwati (Suwarti), Gerwis leader and MP, and the national capitalist Sujonegoro, in Beijing. Both denounce US economic domination, the Round Table agreements and the rubber embargo's price collapse. Suwati says over 500,000 Indone
Interview with Indonesian delegates Suwarti (Gerwis) and Sujonegoro (Renmin Ribao, 6 June 1952)
Interview in Renmin Ribao, 6 June 1952 (p. 4, by Kong Dongping), with Indonesian delegates Suwati (Suwarti), Gerwis leader and MP, and the national capitalist Sujonegoro, in Beijing. Both denounce US economic domination, the Round Table agreements and the rubber embargo's price collapse. Suwati says over 500,000 Indone
FBIS, 6 June 1952: Indonesian peace movements (Suwarti and Surjonegoro interview)
FBIS-monitored Chinese Home Service excerpts (6 Jun 1952): press interview with Indonesian delegates Suwarti and Surjonegoro in Peking. They described Indonesian livelihood under foreign capital, the land question, US aid and the rubber embargo (prices down about 70%), and said over 600,000 Indonesians signed a request
Suwarti in Peking: preparatory committee for Asia-Pacific peace conference (Harian Rakjat, 9 June 1952)
Harian Rakjat, 9 June 1952. A front-page NCNA dispatch from Peking (6 June) reports Suwarti and Suryonegoro, members of the Indonesian delegation to the preparatory committee of the Peace Council for Asia and the Pacific, briefing journalists on Indonesia's peace movement, poverty, KMB economic dependence, Irian Barat
Baby care
Short Algemeen Indisch Dagblad notice (1952-06-12, p. 2) that a baby-care committee, Taman Baji Sehat, has been set up in (apparently Bandung) by women's associations including Parkiwa, Perwari, Gerwis and Persatuan Wanita Kristen, to open a crèche for babies of mothers who have died, are ill or work.
Delegation to US embassy protests bacteriological war in Korea
De Nieuwsgier, 27 June 1952 (Sin Po): on the Korean War anniversary, a nine-organisation delegation including Gerwis, SOBSI, Pemuda Rakjat, Lekra and the peace committee protests at the US embassy against alleged bacteriological warfare, but is turned away. They write to the foreign minister asking Indonesia to press f
Freedom Day celebration committee formed on basis of National Reveil declaration
De Nieuwsgier, 15 July 1952 (Sin Po): a Jakarta meeting of 34 parties and organisations forms a Freedom Day (17 August) committee led by the PKI's Greater Jakarta section by 26 votes; PNI, Parkindo, SOBSI and Gerwis sit on it, Masjumi and PSI abstain. It adopts the National Reveil joint declaration signed by 60 groups.