A revolution is brewing in Indonesia as the planned rebellion against Dutch imperialism to begin in 1926 moves closer. As the first Asian Communist Party to join the Comintern it was, in the first half of the 1920s, also the largest Comintern section in Asia. Working in, and partially leading, the popular Islamic party Sarekat Rakyat, the PKI played a central role in the mass rebellion that broke out, and severe repression that coincided, in the months following this article.

‘Progress of the Revolutionary Movement in the East Indies’ by P. Bergsma from International Press Correspondence. Vol. 5 No. 90. December 31, 1925.

The Dutch capitalists, who have great experience in the policy of exploiting the suppressed million masses of Indonesia and who today, by the formation of trusts, are so closely connected with other imperialist States, are greatly disturbed by the movement in China.

The formation of Soviet governments in the countries of the Pacific Ocean, the population of which has many connections with the people of Indonesia and which maintain very active shipping communications with Java and other islands in Indonesia, is regarded by the Dutch bourgeoisie as a great danger, as it means the strengthening of the revolutionary movements in the colonies.

The burdens which the peasant population has to bear are enormous. The peasants have, on the average, to supply 30 to 35% of the gross total income of the whole country; but this burden is often still further increased by the arbitrary measures of the officials. A newly introduced land-tax in certain districts provoked the peasants to resistance, so that the government was compelled to reduce the rate of taxation. In many districts the population refused to pay taxes.

The millions which are yielded up every year by the Indonesians for the maintenance of the army and navy do not yet satisfy the government, so it is now proceeding, in spite of the favourable financial situation which has been reached as a result of the pressure of taxation, to increase the revenue by means of State undertakings. These plans are encountering fierce resistance on the part of the employers’ federations, because they perceive that by these measures of the government the Dutch bourgeoisie is deprived of the possibility of investing new capital. The Dutch press is sharply protesting against these plans, and it is urged that the State must endeavour to obtain its revenue solely by means of taxes.

Experience has taught that big capital has always succeeded in compelling its government to pursue its policy. When, in the year 1918, a famine broke out in Java because too little rice had been cultivated, the government endeavoured to bring about a reduction of the sugar planting, but was forced to give away under the pressure of big capital.

As in Java there no longer exists the possibility of cultivating fresh land, cultivation is now being extended to the neighbouring islands of Borneo, Sumatra etc. The government is supporting these plans. It is very difficult for the bourgeoisie to induce workers to emigrate from Java to these places. It is true there is plenty of fertile land on these islands, as well as mineral riches, but there is a shortage of labour power. The bourgeoisie now resorting to employing indentured labour. This slave trade has the Sanction of the government. The propaganda of the Communists has naturally resulted in rousing the political consciousness of the Javanese workers, so that they are now fighting against this slave trade with every means. The Communist movement in Java has already resulted in rendering it very difficult for the bourgeoisie to carry out successfully the exploitation of some hundred thousand coolies in these new undertakings.

This means for the capitalists a loss of million of Gulden, which explains the hatred against the Communists who are calling upon the population to shake off the yoke of the oppressors.

An investigation by the government has shown that in ail places in which the workers are organised in trade unions, wages have increased, and in recent years have everywhere maintained their level, whilst in those places where the workers are unorganised, wages have fallen. On the other hand the cost of living has increased considerably.

The bourgeoisie has been used to pocketing great profits. The actions of the trade unions are endangering these profits. Hence, in every economic conflict armed force is employed, with the result that every strike acquires a political importance. In the last few years thousands of strikers and strike leaders have been arrested and Communist editors and propagandists thrown into prison. All the Communist newspapers have the name of the editor on the top of the front page with the remark: “in prison”. This is the case not only in Java but on the other islands.

The Atiehers in Sumatra usually use armed force in the fight against their suppressors, and have on various occasions put military patrols to flight. Striking dock workers have been arrested and their places taken by prisoners. The wives of the strikers arranged a demonstration along with members of the Communist Party which demanded from the governor the immediate release of the strikers. They were driven back with armed force, with the result that pregnant women with children in arms were trampled under foot. Many were killed or left wounded.

A great strike broke out in the Surabaya docks in Java involving 5000 workers. The leaders were immediately arrested.

The favourable situation in the rubber plantations has brought great advantage to a portion of the population of Sumatra who possess their own rubber trees. As the native capitalists pay their workers better than do the Europeans, wages have considerably increased, so that the Europeans are experiencing a shortage of labour. The Board of directors of the “Deli-Spoorwegmatschappij” (Railway Company) had the impudence to declare they would no longer employ free labourers, but only contract coolies (workers who hire themselves out by contract for five to six years for a fixed wage).

The “Sarekat Islam”, under the leadership of Tjokroaminoto, is again becoming active. The Police have discovered illegal organisations and carried out many arrests. This organisation of Islamites which is spread over the whole of Indonesia, is praying for the victory of Ab-el Krim. They have expressed their sympathy with the revolutionaries in China. The quarrel which lasted for a long time between the Communists and the “Sarekat Rajat” on the one side and the “Sarekat Islam” on the other has come to an end, which provides the possibility of forming an anti-imperialist bloc. The government has replied to their united front tactics with still severer measures against the Communists.

The reformists are also beginning to move. Not to carry on the fight against the imperialists, but to gain influence in the people’s movement. They are now attempting to unite the trade unions of the Europeans into one central body, and to obtain the affiliation of the native trade unions. They have succeeded as far as the Europeans are concerned, but as 95% of the trade unions of the natives are in the hands of the Communists they have not yet succeeded in winning influence there.

The Dutch imperialists fully realise that the revolutionary movement in Indonesia hits them in the most vital spot. But in spite of all the employment of force, this movement is spreading. The greater the resistance of the bourgeoisie becomes and the more the great masses of the peasants are suppressed, the sooner will the explosion take place. The defeats which the capitalists suffer at the hands of the revolutionaries in Indonesia will continue until the former are entirely beaten. This will at the same time result in the reformists in Holland having the ground removed from under their feet. Then the Dutch workers will flock to the Communist flag to put an end to the rule of the bourgeoisie.

International Press Correspondence, widely known as”Inprecorr” was published by the Executive Committee of the Communist International (ECCI) regularly in German and English, occasionally in many other languages, beginning in 1921 and lasting in English until 1938. Inprecorr’s role was to supply translated articles to the English-speaking press of the International from the Comintern’s different sections, as well as news and statements from the ECCI. Many ‘Daily Worker’ and ‘Communist’ articles originated in Inprecorr, and it also published articles by American comrades for use in other countries. It was published at least weekly, and often thrice weekly. A major contributor to the Communist press in the U.S., Inprecorr is an invaluable English-language source on the history of the Communist International and its sections.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/international/comintern/inprecor/1925/v05n90-dec-31-1925-inprecor.pdf