The Dutch celebrate a golden jubilee and say farewell to Queen Wilhelmina.

“First there was the burgemeesters’ convention,” groaned a fat mayor, “then the Queen’s birthday; on Saturday the abdication and then the inauguration. I don’t know when I’ll ever be able to get out of my morning coat.”

It was an amiable protest, for, like nearly every other Hollander, the mayor…

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…