Electors of one of each 16 states that make up the new federated republic of the United States of Indonesia casted their votes for the U.S.I.’s first President Soekarno, the only candidate.

The ceremonies at Jogjakarta went off with the fine precision of a Javanese ritual dance. The electors took their places around a U-shaped table, behind signs lettered in the republican colors of red and white; each stood for one of the 16 states that make up the new federated republic…