Four Votes to Spare

In five years of self-government, the Republic of Indonesia, a country rich in oil, rubber and tin, has achieved a degree of economic muddle unmatched in the democratic world. The question before the Indonesian Parliament last week, on a vote of confidence in Premier Ali Sastroamidjojo's administration, was whether continuing muddle would drive Indonesia out of the democratic world into the arms of the Communists.

In 1950 the U.S., wishing to help the young country whose independence it had largely fathered, offered the Indonesian government guaranteed long-term prices for commodities. The deal, which would have helped stabilize the economy, fell through under attack from Indonesian nationalists who set up a cry of "Imperialism." The world market was high as a result of the Korean war, and with their foreign exchange the inexperienced Indonesians bought thousands of automobiles for their government officials, air-conditioned cars and diesel engines for a railroad system that was pulling only half its normal amount of freight. The world market fell and Indonesia was left with a monetary inflation 25 times prewar level.

In the Indonesian capital of Jakarta last month, businessmen complained that the government is throttling Indonesia's foreign trade, and accused officials of taking kickbacks up to 20% on behalf of the reigning Nationalist Party. Pressure on the Premier forced him to fire his Economic Minister. This still did not satisfy the opposition, led by the powerful Masjumi (Moslem) Party (Indonesia has the world's largest Moslem population). Their misgivings go deeper.

No Communist himself, Prime Minister Sastroamidjojo is relying more and more on Communist support. In recent months he has jailed Chinese Nationalists, curbed anti-Communist Chinese newspapers, and permitted the Communist Party to blazon Indonesia with hammer and sickle posters. Several Cabinet members, one the Minister of Defense, are well-known fellow travelers. Last week the opposition brought Sastroamidjojo to a long-delayed vote of confidence. He won by a majority of 23 votes, and without the aid of 19 Communist votes in the Assembly would have squeaked through with but a majority of four. Said Opposition Leader Jusuf Wibisono: "The result . . . shows clearly that the government is depending on the Communist Party."

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