History of Indonesia

President Achmad Soekarno, shown here speaking to a crowd in September of 1950, was reported trying to calm thousands of angry demonstrators near the presidential palace in Jakarta, October 17.

An artilery battery was brought into position outside the palace as president Sukarno talked to the crowd which had formed to demand the dissolution of Parliament and general elections. Pres. Soekarno told the throng that he did not want to become a dictator and that he would arrange for elections as soon as possible.