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
Gerwis sends telegram of condolence on Gottwald's death
Short De Vrije Pers item (21 Mar 1953): the board of Gerwis, called "communist", sent a telegram to the Czechoslovak women's movement with condolences on President Gottwald's death, calling him "a faithful fighter for peace and for the rights of woman".
Harian Rakjat, 30 April 1953, p. 1 (May Day edition)
Harian Rakjat, 30 April 1953, hlm. 1 (edisi Hari Buruh). Front page of the May Day special: CC PKI's May Day message, statements recalling 1952 demonstrations, the Tandjung Morawa 'death tractor' and a united May Day committee of seven federations; women appear only as supporting 'wanita' organisations.
Harian Rakjat, 30 April 1953, p. 8
Harian Rakjat, 30 April 1953, hlm. 8. Last page of the May Day issue: protest at bans on parts of the May Day programme, army budget, and reports of violence against women framed as moral decay and polygamy.
Harian Rakjat, 22 May 1953, p. 1
Harian Rakjat, 22 Mei 1953, hlm. 1. Front page on the Tandjung Morawa tractor incident debate in parliament; no Gerwis or women's item, but context for the agrarian conflicts later celebrated by Gerwani.
Harian Rakjat, 22 May 1953, p. 2
Harian Rakjat, 22 Mei 1953, hlm. 2. Masthead page with an editorial on Indonesia lagging in legislation and the CC PKI 33rd-anniversary message, which lists 'kaum wanita' among mass sectors that have organised themselves but lacked proper party leadership.
The small world (news column, with item on Gerwis and the Rosenbergs)
Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra news-in-brief column 'De kleine wereld' (3 Jul 1953, p.4). Among items on a pharmacy strike, a journalist's film censored, a Guatemala explosion and Dusseldorf baby names, one notes that the Indonesian women's movement GERWIS urged the US government, via its Jakarta embassy, to guarantee the
Delegation of Bandung demonstrators to the president
Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra (17 Jul 1953, p.2): a delegation of PPDI, Partai Buruh, PNI, PKI, PRIM, Gerwis and Permai, after a large Bandung demonstration, met Sukarno to present an open letter asking for a decree declaring DI and other bands enemies of the state to be eradicated by force. Sukarno agreed personally but
International Organ Competition in Haarlem
Nieuwe Haarlemsche Courant, 18 July 1953, p. 9: page with an organ-competition review (unrelated) and short items on the Dutch High Commissioner's East Java tour and Foreign Minister Luns in Karachi, who held talks with the Indonesian foreign minister. No Gerwani, Gerwis or women's movement content; the indexed name 'T
The Free Press: demonstration against criminal trial
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1953-08-25, p. 2): in Surabaya the trial of 42 students for wrecking the Vrije Pers offices opened; thousands of students and pupils demonstrated against the prosecution, joined, per Harian Umum, by Gerwis, Pemuda Rakjat and SOBSI. Banners demanded a press law, abolition of Dutch-language use
Surabaya demonstration over the De Vrije Pers wrecking trial
De Nieuwsgier, 25 Aug 1953: in Surabaya the trial opens of 42 students over the April wrecking of De Vrije Pers; thousands of students and pupils demonstrated, with Gerwis, Pemuda Rakjat and SOBSI also taking part, demanding dropped charges, a press law, abolition of Dutch-language use and limits on Dutch dailies. A US
Destruction at Vrije Pers: demonstration in Surabaya against prosecution
Java-Bode, 25 August 1953, p. 2: report on the Surabaya trial of 42 students over the 16 April destruction of the Dutch paper Vrije Pers, and a mass demonstration against the prosecution. Per Harian Umum, Gerwis, Pemuda Rakjat and SOBSI joined the demonstration, whose banners demanded a press law and curbs on Dutch-lan
Demonstration against prosecution over attack on 'Vrije Pers' (Surabaya, 1953)
Het Nieuwsblad voor Sumatra (26 Aug 1953, p.2): in Surabaya the trial began of 42 students accused of wrecking the Vrije Pers offices on 16 April; a demonstration by thousands of students and pupils against prosecution, reportedly also joined by Gerwis, Pemuda Rakjat and SOBSI, demanded a press law and curbs on Dutch-l
Demonstration against the Dutch press in Surabaya
Short Het Rotterdamsch Parool item (26 Aug 1953, p.5): in Surabaya the trial of 42 students over the wrecking of the 'De Vrije Pers' offices; thousands of students and pupils demonstrated beforehand, supported by the leftist union SOBSI and Gerwis, 'a leftist women's organisation', demanding dismissal of charges and cu
The destruction of De Vrije Pers
Brief Nijmeegsch Dagblad note (26 Aug 1953) on the Surabaya trial of 42 students who wrecked the offices of the daily De Vrije Pers. Thousands of students and pupils demonstrated, supported by SOBSI and Gerwis, demanding dismissal of the case and restrictions on the Dutch press.
Again demonstrations for De Vrije Pers
Provinciale Drentsche en Asser Courant (26 Aug 1953): Short item on the Surabaya trial of 42 students who wrecked the daily De Vrije Pers. Thousands demonstrated beforehand, backed by SOBSI and the women's organisation Gerwis, demanding dismissal of the case and curbs on the Dutch press.; thousands demonstrated beforeh
The destruction of De Vrije Pers: trial in Surabaya of 42 students
Provinciale Overijsselsche en Zwolsche Courant, 26 Aug 1953. Brief wire item (26 Aug 1953) on the Surabaya trial of 42 students who wrecked the daily De Vrije Pers. Thousands demonstrated beforehand, backed by SOBSI and the women's organisation Gerwis, demanding dismissal of the case and curbs on the Dutch press.
National and Foreign News in Brief (Daily Mirror, 18 December 1953)
Daily Mirror (Sydney), 18 December 1953, p. 11, a page of national and foreign news briefs. Only one item concerns Indonesia: a short AP report from Jakarta that 2,000 sarong-clad Indonesian women jammed the capital's streets demanding a government ban on polygamy and child marriage. No organisation is named. The other
News anthology: Moestopo defends polygamy and pensions for four wives
News digest in De Vrije Pers (31 Dec 1953). Colonel Dr. Moestopo, for the "Corps of Fighting Women", defended polygamy and the pension rule for up to four wives, arguing withdrawal would stimulate prostitution. Gerwis is not named, but this is context for the contemporary polygamy debate.