856D.6176/113
The Minister in the Netherlands (Swenson) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received November 29.]
Sir: With reference to my despatch No. 788, of October 10th, and No. 818, of November 4th, last,1 I have the honor to report that the negotiations conducted in London on October 26th, between representatives of the British, French, and Dutch parties interested, led to an agreement concerning the conditions upon which the restriction of the output of rubber might be effected. The Commission for Rubber Restriction of the International Association wrote Dr. Colijn, the Prime Minister and Minister of the Colonies, a letter on November 3rd, a confidential translation of which is enclosed,2 in which it is stated that in anticipation of the effecting of a definite agreement the Commission desired to inform the Minister of the basis of the agreement in order that he should be able to judge whether the conditions proposed for regulating the output of rubber are acceptable for the Dutch East Indies. The letter also stated that an effective provision with regard to native rubber production in the Indies, which can be fitted into the international agreement, is in course of preparation.
The Counselor of the Legation has been confidentially informed … that Dr. Colijn has already forwarded the above-mentioned letter to the Governor General of the Netherlands East Indies for comment. Moreover the Prime Minister has informed the Commission that he does not desire any further report about the desirability or non desirability of restriction because he has decided to have restriction unless it should prove to be unworkable.
Respectfully yours,