For the first time in five years Batavia echoed to the burst of festive fireworks rather than lethal gunfire. The occasion was the signing of a long-delayed agreement (TIME, Dec. 23).

Mercurial President Soekarno was too preoccupied to comment. He was busy discussing his favorite hobby—painting—with a visiting artist. But elsewhere in Java last week Indonesians were delirious with joy. After 19 long months of bloody warfare, at least a measure of peace and independence had come to Indonesia…