— 22 —
regarding a number of important matters. All debts incurred by the Dutch East Indies government previous to the Japanese surrender and fairly chargeable to us we will unhesitatingly take over. All property of foreigners will be handed over to them with one exception we reserve the right to acquire at fair prices such property as shall be deemed necessary for the welfare of the country. In concert with our immediate neighbours and the rest of the world we intend to take our place in the Council of the United Nations to further and implement the ideals contained in the San-Francisco Charter. Our internal policy will be based on the sovereignty of the people, and we will put into practice all the steps necessary to bring home and evoke in the breasts of the Eurasian and Europeanresidents of our country the highest feeling of patriotism and democracy.
In a short while we intend to prove our adherence to the democratic ideals by calling a general election, in accordance with the constitutional principles laid down for our country. There is always the possibility that such an election may result in farreaching changes, both in the composition of the present government and in such constitutional changes as may be called for by the representatives of the people.
Citizens and residents of Indonesia will be the beneficiaries of the reconstruction programme we plan to put into operation. Such a scheme calls for large credits as well as manufactured goods from
