Indonesia calling — Joris Ivens, 1946
Summary
TLDRThis historical video script recounts the pivotal role of Australian and Indonesian solidarity in the fight for Indonesian independence post-World War II. It highlights the Esperance Bay's voyage, symbolizing unity and support from Australian workers and trade unions. The narrative unfolds through the lens of trade unionism, showcasing direct actions like strikes and boycotts against Dutch colonial exploitation. The script vividly depicts the collective struggle of workers across nations, emphasizing the significance of international labor solidarity in shaping Indonesia's freedom and the broader anti-colonial movements of the era.
Takeaways
- 🌏 The script discusses the historical connection between Australia and Indonesia, highlighting their shared history of trade and discovery.
- 🚢 Post-World War II, the Esperance Bay was one of the first ships to reconnect Australia and Indonesia, symbolizing renewed oceanic contact.
- 🏴 The Australian government and its people showed support for Indonesian independence, with trade unions presenting a flag to the Indonesian Seaman's Union.
- 🤝 There was a strong sense of camaraderie and mutual support between the Australian and Indonesian people, as evidenced by cultural exchanges and shared resistance against colonial rule.
- 🇮🇩 Indonesia's fight for independence was a central theme, with the script detailing the Indonesian people's desire for self-governance and freedom from Dutch colonial rule.
- 🛳️ The script describes a significant act of defiance by Indonesian seamen in Australia, who refused to crew ships that would carry arms and soldiers to suppress their homeland's independence movement.
- 👷 The Australian waterside workers' support for the Indonesian cause led to a widespread strike that effectively halted Dutch ships from sailing to Indonesia.
- 📜 The script emphasizes the importance of the Atlantic Charter's principles, which were used to argue for Indonesia's right to self-determination and freedom.
- 🌐 International solidarity was evident as support for Indonesia's independence came from various countries, including the United States, China, India, New Zealand, and Canada.
- 🎉 The script concludes with a celebration of the successful efforts to prevent Dutch ships from interfering with Indonesia's independence, highlighting the power of collective action.
Q & A
What was the significance of the Esperance Bay in the post-war period between Australia and Indonesia?
-The Esperance Bay was one of the first ships to make the journey between Australia and Indonesia after World War II, symbolizing the re-establishment of trade and contact between the two countries.
Why were the Indonesians leaving Australia post-war?
-The Indonesians were leaving Australia to return to their homeland, Indonesia, after the war, as depicted in the newsreel from 1945 where 1,400 Indonesians left Australia by the Esperance Bay for Java.
What was the Australian government's guarantee regarding the Esperance Bay's journey?
-The Australian government guaranteed that the Esperance Bay would not be landed at any port in Dutch head, ensuring the safe passage of Indonesians back to their country.
What did Evy Elliott represent when she presented a flag to the Indonesian Republic?
-Evy Elliott represented the combined Australian trade unions when she presented a flag to the Indonesian Republic, symbolizing support for their fight for independence.
What was the stance of Indonesian seamen regarding Dutch ships after the war?
-Indonesian seamen refused to man Dutch ships that were intended to be used for reconquering Indonesia's resources and carrying arms against their own people, showing their solidarity with the independence movement.
How did the Australian waterside workers support the Indonesian independence movement?
-Australian waterside workers supported the Indonesian independence movement by refusing to load Dutch ships with cargo that could be used against Indonesia, effectively implementing a black ban on Dutch ships.
What was the role of the Indian seamen in the struggle for Indonesian independence as described in the script?
-Indian seamen played a crucial role by refusing to sail on a Dutch ship carrying arms and soldiers to Indonesia, choosing instead to support the Indonesian struggle for freedom.
What was the significance of the 'black ban' on Dutch ships as mentioned in the script?
-The 'black ban' was a form of direct action taken by Australian labor unions to prevent Dutch ships from carrying arms and supplies that could be used against the Indonesian Republic, thus supporting Indonesia's fight for independence.
How did the international community, particularly other nations' labor unions, respond to the Australian labor's actions in support of Indonesia?
-The international community, including labor unions from China, India, Malaya, New Zealand, and Canada, supported the actions of Australian labor by contributing to the Indonesian fund and expressing solidarity with the Indonesian independence movement.
What was the ultimate outcome of the actions taken by the Australian labor and international support for Indonesia's independence?
-The collective actions and international support helped prevent Dutch ships from sailing with arms and soldiers to Indonesia, which contributed to the survival of the young Indonesian Republic and its struggle for independence.
Outlines
🚢 Journey of Solidarity: Esperance Bay's Voyage
The script opens with a historical narrative of post-World War II Australia and Indonesia's reestablishment of trade and communication, symbolized by the Esperance Bay ship's voyage. The ship carried 1,400 Indonesians from Australia to Java, highlighting the countries' friendly relations. The Australian government ensured they would not disembark at Dutch-held ports, reflecting political sensitivities of the time. Emotional scenes of farewells at the wharf are described, along with a significant gesture of solidarity when Evy Elliott, representing Australian trade unions, presents a flag to the Indonesian seaman's union, symbolizing support for Indonesia's independence struggle. The paragraph encapsulates the spirit of unity and the commitment to mutual support between the two nations in a pivotal historical moment.
🗽 Indonesian Independence and Australian Support
This paragraph delves into the political aspirations of the Indonesian people for independence and the support they received from Australia. It describes how Indonesians in Australia took an oath of loyalty to the new republic, reflecting the broader movement for independence. The script also recounts the cultural celebration of independence through traditional dance, underscoring the印尼人的 cultural pride and resilience. The narrative then shifts to the economic exploitation of Indonesia by Dutch colonial rulers and the Indonesians' resistance, culminating in a strike by Indonesian seamen in Australia who refused to crew ships carrying arms against their homeland. The solidarity of Australian workers with the Indonesian cause is a central theme, emphasizing the moral stance against colonialism and for self-determination.
👷♂️ Labour Solidarity on the Waterfront
The focus of this paragraph is on the labor movement's role in supporting Indonesian independence. It details the actions taken by Australian waterside workers who refused to load Dutch ships with arms intended for use against Indonesia. This labor boycott effectively halted Dutch reconquest efforts and is portrayed as a significant act of international solidarity. The narrative includes direct actions such as workers turning off engines and leaving ships idle, highlighting the power of collective labor action. International support from various countries' labor unions is mentioned, showing a global network of support for Indonesia's struggle. The paragraph concludes with a sense of unity among workers across national boundaries in defense of freedom and self-determination.
🌐 International Support and the Black Ban on Dutch Ships
This section of the script discusses the broader international response to the Indonesian independence movement and the Dutch attempts to suppress it. It mentions leaders from India, the Soviet Union, and the Philippines who voiced their opposition to the use of force against Indonesia. The paragraph also describes how the black ban on Dutch ships was enforced, effectively stopping their operations in Australian ports. The story of an Indian crew that refused to sail a Dutch ship is highlighted, showcasing the global nature of the support for Indonesian independence. The narrative culminates in a celebration of this victory, emphasizing the impact of collective action and the significance of international solidarity.
🌉 Unity Across Nations for Indonesian Freedom
The final paragraph brings together the themes of international unity and the struggle for freedom. It discusses the principles of the Atlantic Charter and how they apply to Indonesia's fight for independence. The script mentions the support from various nationalities, including Chinese and Indian seamen, who contributed to the cause both financially and through direct action. The paragraph concludes with a forward-looking statement about the ongoing battles and the ships that remained in port, symbolizing the sacrifices made for a young republic's survival. The narrative ends on a hopeful note, with the unity of multiple nations in support of Indonesia's independence and the broader fight against imperialism.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Esperance Bay
💡Indonesian Independence
💡Trade Unions
💡Dutch Colonial Rule
💡Direct Action
💡Black Ban
💡Atlantic Charter
💡Waterfront Workers
💡International Solidarity
💡Self-Determination
Highlights
1945: Esperance Bay was one of the first ships to reconnect Australia and Indonesia post-WWII.
The Australian government guaranteed Indonesians would not be landed in Dutch-held territory.
Evy Elliott, representing Australian trade unions, presented a flag to the Indonesian seaman's union as a symbol of support.
Indonesians in Australia swore an oath of loyalty to the new republic, reflecting their commitment to independence.
Indonesians and Australians celebrated Indonesian culture and independence with traditional dances.
Indonesian seamen refused to man Dutch ships carrying arms against their homeland, initiating a strike.
Australian waterside workers supported the Indonesian seamen, leading to a broader labor movement against Dutch ships.
The Dutch claimed their ships were mercy ships with food and medical supplies, but were accused of carrying arms.
Australian Prime Minister's statement supported the Indonesian cause, highlighting international solidarity.
Australian labor unions declared Dutch ships blacklisted in support of Indonesian independence.
International support came from various countries, including the USA, China, India, and New Zealand, for the Indonesian struggle.
Indian seamen on a Dutch ship were persuaded by Indonesian and Australian activists to turn back, refusing to transport arms.
The collective action of workers across different unions effectively halted Dutch ships, impacting Dutch recolonization efforts.
Leaders and representatives from multiple nations voiced their support for Indonesia's fight for independence.
The documentary concludes with a celebration of the unity and solidarity that helped the young Republic of Indonesia survive.
Transcripts
[Music]
two countries in the Pacific linked by
routes of trade and discovery are
Australia and Indonesia the war cut off
their ocean contacts but after the war
one of the first ships to make the
journey was the esperance Bay you may
remember the newsreel back in 1945 1,400
Indonesians leave Australia by the
esperance Bay for Java for the
government undertaking that they will
not be landed at any port in Dutch head
[Music]
an official of the Australian government
gives with them to see if the guarantee
is carried out friends and sweethearts
crowd the wharf to say goodbye
[Music]
before the ship sails Evy Elliott
representing the combined Australian
trade unions speaks to the minute
secretary of the seaman's Union on
behalf of the trade union movement of
Australia I present to you this flag we
get with you to your union Republic as a
symbol of the support of the Australian
workers in your fight for it
[Applause]
in the name of the Indonesian Republic I
thank you for this flag we will never
forget the great hope the plane and
labor has given us in a vital first
stage of our Republic when we need to
help boost and may Australia and
Indonesia be united for others and unity
will take us in the nature
on that October day the esperance blaze
sailed from Australia for Indonesia
[Music]
but the real story behind this journey
is the story of ships that didn't child
[Music]
let's start at the beginning
here in Australia we know the
Indonesians will for years they've lived
in our country as friends and fellow
townsmen
the women learnt the names of our
vegetable
and mothers found that children were
much the same in any language
there were the Indonesian soldiers and
seamen our boys knew them as good
fighters against a common enemy Japan
[Music]
at our victory loan rallies in Martin
place we applauded their musicians
lending their support in thousands of
pounds as well as music
[Music]
we like their old Indonesian folk song
even if we didn't understand the words
but they did yet here in Australia it
wasn't just the river and rice fields
the villages of their homeland they
thought about but something they didn't
have before the war something they
fought for with the Allies independence
the voice of Indonesia calling these are
the salient points in the republic
democratic constitution freedom of
organization freedom of assembly freedom
of expression and punks are Indonesia
here in the streets of Sydney
Indonesians repeated an oath which was
being taken by their countrymen all over
the world an oath of loyalty to the new
republic Villa Republic Indonesia
internment Tariq America and t-top
amsa-indonesia Sampey salam ala Manya
Tita mundo be our pundit alarm column
bong about we shall not waver under
Dutch oppression we are ready to
sacrifice our lives for freedom with a
pure heart we pledge our word ssam
Minako ananka burner on
that night they celebrated independence
with the dance of the night and the
princess for even in exile they've not
forgotten their ancient culture this
dance they told us was over fifteen
hundred years old before Portuguese and
Dutchman came to Java
[Music]
the wives and young citizens of the New
Republic were there too
[Music]
everyone joined in these dances
yes that night we celebrated but in the
morning 72 million people took an oath
to defend freedom with their lives that
wasn't just words
look those 72 million Indonesians live
in some of the richest islands of the
world but for three and a half centuries
Dutch colonial rulers have taken all the
profits in mines the Kunene monopoly oil
fields and rubber plantations it added
up to about 32 million pounds or a
hundred million dollars a year that's
quite a bit now the war's over they want
to go back to making profits and for
that they'll need ships the ships are
here in Australian harbors in Brisbane
Melbourne and Sydney
ships to reconquer their treasure
islands to get back their oil and rubber
their Kunene and tin mines
ships to break the back of the young
Republic ships to carry soldiers ships
to carry gun no to the Indonesian seamen
we won't man your ships we won't carry
arms to be used against our own people
here's our answer direct action
they left the ships they walked off the
walls
they quit the officers soldiers refused
service it takes courage to strike
against your rulers in a strange country
but they did that and the Japs didn't
tell them what to do three hundred and
fifty years of Dutchman taught them they
got together with Australian dwarf is
right here on the docks while the big
ships waited they spoke in a language
workers in every country understand of
bad conditions low wages and what those
three hundred and fifty years of Dutch
colonial rule had meant to Indonesia
the news spread and waterside workers
came from other Ward's to listen finally
it turned into an impromptu meeting
that's when Australians had their say
Indonesian seamen weren't allowed to
form a union till they came to Australia
we helped them get organized and now we
can't let them down
we can't scab on fellow workers what
about the Atlantic Charter
we're committed through the World Trade
Union Congress to support freedom for
all nations
why not Indonesia their spokesman asked
for just that our support for Indonesia
struggle for freedom and
self-determination well it's up to us
declare Dutch ships for Indonesia black
when the wolfy's sat down it meant
action something happened on the
waterfront which made all the difference
in the life of a young Republican the
Dutch companies who had once had a great
fleet to carry wealth from Indonesia now
had to beg for every ship to take them
back
suddenly we heard that these were mercy
ships loaded with food and medical
supplies Dutch authorities said they
knew nothing of tommy guns and
ammunition alleged to be found by
waterside workers but they could hardly
deny the statements of mr. chief lee
Australia's prime minister
[Music]
you fought for your freedom let the
Indonesian dev air arms and now soldiers
1600 armed Dutch soldiers bound for Java
lining the decks of the sterling cusp
Australian diggers went out to meet them
and one Dutchman who spoke for the
workers of Holland supporting Indonesian
freedom Australian supporter free
Indonesia
the Dutch didn't want to hear the truth
[Music]
Indonesia calling to a static of gunfire
heard the voice of their homeland asking
them to keep up the fight to hold up all
Dutch ships carrying arms to be used
against the New Republic now the fight
was really on Wharf is chalked up their
answer and walked off ship after ship in
Brisbane Melbourne Adelaide Sydney in
all the ports of Australia
[Music]
they said to the Dutch loading ships as
our livelihoods will load ships for
Indonesia any time if we get a guarantee
that the cargo isn't arms or supplies
that could be used against the
Indonesian people we never got that
guarantee the black vans spread as other
unions joined the struggle one date with
the transport workers who turned off
their ignition keys and left Dutch
Freight stranded
next ships plane tostop works Dutch
ships were too black for them to put
another coat of color on engineers and
repair workers turned their torches it
shipping clocks turned a deaf ear to
Dutch orders Australian seamen had been
in it right from the start
soon they were joined by eleven British
from the crew of the Moreton Bay who
jumped ship rather than carry soldiers
to Java cables of support arrived from
Harry bridges president of the American
Longshoremen's Union and from Chinese
Indian Malayan New Zealand and Canadian
seamen and dock workers workers in every
country supported the action of
Australian labour
[Music]
don't be fooled by the card game don't
let them try to put anything over we're
awake so with a shipwright plumbers
Columbus the Merchant Service guild
firemen and deckhands Union to storm and
Packers Mulder's Dockers Boilermakers
not to mention iron workers and
electrician
all along the waterfront the ships were
idle
[Music]
the people had acted and now came the
voices of leaders supporting the
principles of the Atlantic Charter
Pandit Nehru and Jinnah of India Manuel
ski and Wyszynski of the Soviet Union
and President ramallah of the
Philippines protested against the use of
armed force to suppress the Indonesian
people
[Music]
at a record meeting in the domain this
return soldier reported that Indonesian
had already proved they could govern
their own country in the name of my
Republic I thank you said Jen will
endure but for your help in holding up
those ships our Republic might have been
destroyed
the black ban on ships for Indonesia is
complete in the office of the Indonesian
seaman's Union max the Kanto and took
liván kept check on the ships that
didn't say this big black vanderlin
black followed black - sorry black
tasman black Johnson and Ponte - black
pants wore black van heard black
Swardson ones got away an Indian crew on
board
[Music]
all right so it is man thinking we could
stop a ship but you don't know what that
one shipment it broke prevent the Dutch
had sneaked it through by putting an
Indian crew on now boys didn't have much
of a cruiser to go out into battle they
didn't have any guns or ammunition but
they had words and they were talking to
Indian seamen Indian brothers Indonesian
fight for freedom at your fight back
working off the engine right let's go
tomorrow Michael in all this job we'll
talk say we're high
I'm too low engine room come to the
heart
boom camel Agha jaymund of Jacob to
Indonesia louder they can't hear you
brothers turn the ship back Indonesia is
five it's your fight go on call again
it's not too late brother
[Music]
they've gone but outside the heads to
the throb of the engine the Indians were
thinking brothers
indonesia's fight is your fight stop
engines
stop engines
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
they've come back the Indians have come
back they've done it they've stopped the
ship come on this really calls for
celebration
[Music]
they held their meeting of celebration
on the nearest street corner on behalf
of the Indonesian independence committee
I think our Indian brothers for their
heroic actions in support of or struggle
Indian team invoke of that sit with
recurring arms to smash when you
Republic in involved we will never
forget what you have done for us we've
informed that we were to be a delight
trips on you but we found ourselves put
on a Dutch ship carrying young and the
nation Tunisia but we refused to sell
them the Dutch threatened us with a gun
but still be refused and now we will not
side with a ship this turtle is our
struggle there are victories on a
victory there was no need to introduce
the general secretary of the waterside
workers Federation Jim Healey during
this war the principles of the Atlantic
Charter were declared by Britain and
America and approved off by Russia these
principles must be applied in the
Pacific and to the Indonesian people
these people fought with us during the
war against fascism in the Pacific and
we people of the Pacific the Chinese the
Americans the Russians the Australians
the New Zealanders the Indians together
with the Indonesians will do everything
within our power to destroy the efforts
of Dutch imperialism
Chinese seamen have taken the hat around
again which brought their contribution
to the Indonesian fund up to 1100 pounds
[Applause]
3 unless no father took the sunset the
China will support all the oppressed
nations to gain their independence that
is why we Chinese are supporting the
Indonesian there's no movement man Tokyo
government demand
[Applause]
long live the independence movement
it grew out of the cheering Indonesia
and had allies moving forward the people
of five nations who had stuck together
they marched toward other battles and
below them under the bridge lay the
ships that didn't sail ships that didn't
sail so that a young Republic might live
[Music]
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