CIA report, 30 April 1951: Women communists in Indonesia
CIA report, 30 April 1951, on 'Women Communists in Indonesia': Chinese and Indonesian women's links, the Stockholm peace appeal, and Gerwis chair 'Sri Mangunsarkoro' protesting France's ban on the WIDF. Early foreign surveillance of Gerwis's WIDF ties.
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 against Gerwis: reply on bacteriological warfare allegation
Aneta item in De Vrije Pers (19 May 1952): Eleanor Roosevelt replied to a memorandum Gerwis gave her during her April visit to Jakarta, rejecting its accusation that the UN used bacteriological weapons in Korea, denying UN oppression of peoples, and disputing its claim that a million Arabs were driven out of Israel.
Mrs Roosevelt refutes Gerwis claims
Short item, Java-Bode, 19 May 1952, p. 1: Eleanor Roosevelt replies to Gerwis's letter delivered during her April Jakarta visit, rejecting its claim that the UN used bacteriological weapons in Korea while admitting a fight against communist-influenced organisations. Shorter version of the Indische Courant item.
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 refutes Gerwis claims
Indische Courant voor Nederland, 24 May 1952, p. 3: Eleanor Roosevelt replies to a letter delivered by Gerwis during her Jakarta visit, rejecting its claims that the UN used bacteriological weapons in Korea and that Western powers drove Arabs from Palestine, while acknowledging a fight against communist-influenced orga
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
Mrs Roosevelt disagrees
Short Nijmeegsch Dagblad item (27 May 1952): Eleanor Roosevelt, during a visit to Jakarta, replies to a letter from Gerwis, rejecting its claim that the UN used bacteriological weapons in Korea and that the UN suppressed peoples' freedom. She admits a struggle against communist-influenced organisations. Evidence of Ger
Mrs Roosevelt replies to Gerwis
Trouw (27 May 1952): Eleanor Roosevelt, visiting Jakarta, answers a letter from Gerwis, rejecting its claims that the UN used germ weapons in Korea or suppressed peoples' freedom, and rejecting claims about expelled Arabs. She admits a fight against communist-influenced organisations. Shows Gerwis's peace and anti-impe
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
US State Dept. report IR-6165, January 1953: Communism in the Free World - Indonesia section on Gerwis
US State Department Office of Intelligence Research report IR-6165, 'Communism in the Free World' (January 1953), a compilation of about 30 country studies of communist capabilities, held in the CIA reading room. The Indonesia study (IR-6165.3) covers PKI aims and tactics, labour, and front organisations. Section VI.A
Support for clemency appeal (Gerwis and the Rosenbergs)
Short Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra item (10 Jun 1953, p.2): the Indonesian women's movement Gerwis, with 40,000 members, sent a telegram to President Eisenhower urging him to spare the Rosenbergs; the dockworkers' union SBPP (47,000 members) decided on 8 June to send a similar telegram. Shows Gerwis's anti-imperialist s
CIA information report, 6 November 1953: Financial problems of communist front organizations
CIA information report, 6 Nov 1953: 'Financial Problems of Communist Front Organizations' (Indonesia). Reports that the World Peace Committee sought Rp 50,000 from a Chinese organisation and that GERWIS has not paid its monthly Rp 2,500 to SOBSI since January 1953 and has also asked for aid. One page; a single paragrap
CIA report, 6 May 1954: Financial preparations for the Gerwis congress, March 1954
CIA report, 6 May 1954: Trimurti and Dr Thung Sin Nio collecting funds to finance the Gerwis (now Gerwani) congress in Jakarta, 25-31 March 1954, including from Chinese-Indonesian donors. Evidence on congress financing and cross-community support.
CIA study, May 1955: The Communist Party of Indonesia - a survey of PKI organization and history
CIA study, May 1955, surveying PKI organisation and history before the 1955 elections, with a short section on Gerwani among eight front organisations (pp. 49-50) and PKI foreign channels. Earliest extended US assessment of Gerwani as a PKI front.
Foster Dulles arrived in Jakarta
Java-Bode, 12 March 1956, p. 1: report on US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles's arrival at Kemajoran airport, Jakarta. Demonstrators shouted 'Abolish SEATO' and a 25-year-old woman, Samsia, a member of Gerwani (called communist-minded), threw a red pamphlet into his car and was detained by police.
Gerwani member Sansia arrested during Dulles visit to Jakarta (Kankakee Daily Journal, 12 March 1956)
Full 20-page issue of the Kankakee Daily Journal (Illinois), 12 March 1956. Front-page AP/UP report on US Secretary of State Dulles's visit to Jakarta (talks with Sukarno) says police arrested a woman named Sansia, who said she was a member of Gerwani, 'a leftist women's organization founded in 1954', over a banner pro
Dulles on Trip to Indonesia (Toowoomba Chronicle, 13 March 1956)
Toowoomba Chronicle, 13 Mar 1956, p. 3 (AAP-Reuters): US Secretary of State Dulles visits Jakarta after the SEATO conference; demonstrators shout 'Abolish SEATO' and 'We want peace, not war'. A young girl arrested for throwing a pamphlet says she is a Gerwani member; Gerwani had earlier protested the visit.
Dulles on Trip to Indonesia (Toowoomba Chronicle, 13 March 1956), duplicate
Toowoomba Chronicle, 13 Mar 1956, p. 3 (AAP-Reuters): US Secretary of State Dulles visits Jakarta after the SEATO conference; demonstrators shout 'Abolish SEATO' and 'We want peace, not war'. A young girl arrested for throwing a pamphlet says she is a Gerwani member; Gerwani had earlier protested the visit.
Dulles in Djakarta: 'Our joint effort will one day lead to a better world'
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1956-03-13, p. 1): US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles arrives in Jakarta; a score of demonstrators shout 'Hapuskan SEATO'. A 25-year-old woman, Samsia, a member of Gerwani ('a communist-minded women's organisation'), threw a red anti-SEATO pamphlet into his car and was arrested for quest
Gerwani's objections
Short Algemeen Indisch Dagblad item (1956-03-13, p. 1): the Gerwani central board issues a statement objecting to John Foster Dulles's visit, his interference and his push for Indonesia to join SEATO, which it says contradicts the Bandung (Afro-Asian) Conference decisions on peace and friendship.
Objections to visit
Java-Bode, 13 March 1956, p. 1: before John Foster Dulles's Jakarta visit, the Gerwani central board issued a statement objecting to the visit, to his interference in Indonesia's internal affairs and to his pressure on Indonesia to join SEATO, after studying US interventionism in Latin America and Asia.
Jakarta protests against Dulles visit; Gerwani statement (Renmin Ribao, 13 March 1956)
Two Xinhua dispatches from Jakarta in Renmin Ribao, 13 Mar 1956 (p. 4). First: US Secretary of State Dulles was met at the airport on 12 March by demonstrators shouting against SEATO, and a girl was arrested for sticking a slogan on his car. Second: Gerwani issued a statement on 11 March condemning the visit as an atte
Jakarta protests against Dulles visit; Gerwani statement (Renmin Ribao, 13 March 1956)
Two Xinhua dispatches from Jakarta in Renmin Ribao, 13 Mar 1956 (p. 4). First: US Secretary of State Dulles was met at the airport on 12 March by demonstrators shouting against SEATO, and a girl was arrested for sticking a slogan on his car. Second: Gerwani issued a statement on 11 March condemning the visit as an atte
USIS refuses Gerwani representative; Gerwani central board explains (Bintang Timur, 8 May 1956)
Bintang Timur (Jakarta daily), 8 May 1956, full issue. A front-page item reports that the Indonesian Women's Congress decided to send five organisation representatives, including one from Gerwani, to accompany the delegation to the UN Economic and Social Council in New York, but USIS refused the Gerwani delegate withou
CIA compilation, October 1956: WIDF - a compilation of available basic information
CIA compilation 'WIDF: A Compilation of Available Basic Information' (Oct 1956). In its affiliate list it gives Gerwani (Gerakan Wanita Indonesia) claimed strength of 281,000 (Feb 1955) and 565,147 (Apr 1956), with president Umi Sardjono and vice-president Suharti Suwarto (p.20); the WIDF Council list shows Indonesian
CIA directories, February 1957: International communist-front organizations (WIDF section)
CIA compilation of reference data (February 1957, data to 1 October 1956) on international communist-front organisations and friendship societies, including the Women's International Democratic Federation (WIDF). The WIDF directory lists headquarters, publications, executive officers and national affiliates. Under Indo
Gerwani DPP (650,000 members): dissolve SEATO (Bintang Timur, 24 March 1958)
Bintang Timur, 24 March 1958, p. 1 (during the PRRI rebellion). Front-page statement of the Gerwani national leadership (DPP), said to represent 650,000 members, condemning US and SEATO intervention and the US Seventh Fleet's movements, and demanding that SEATO be dissolved ('Bubarkan SEATO'), in an open letter. Same p