During these times, he published many articles advocating independence, and "Indies nationalism." In 1913, close associates of Douwes Dekker, including physicians Tjipto Mangunkusumo and Suwardi Surjaningrat, established the Native Committee in Bandung, which later became the Indische Partij. This was considered a breakthrough because most organisations had never so openly advocated independence. In March 1913, the party claimed approximately 7000 members, approximately 5500 of whom were Indos (people of mixed Dutch-Indonesian ancestry) along with 1500 native Indonesians. The Colonial government quickly became worried, and the party was forbidden. This led to the exile to the Netherlands of Douwes Dekker and his two Javanese associates.