856E.00/12–1045: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Hornbeck) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:46 p.m.]
278. There are indications that, although responsible Netherlands officials take full cognizance of the fact that Netherlands East Indies comes within area for which British Command is responsible, there is prevalent among them a feeling that the course followed by the US is suggestive of a lack of sympathetic understanding of the situation in the Indies and especially of the difficulties which confront the Dutch there. In friendly conversation these officials cite initial embargo placed on sailing of ships with relief supplies and munitions to Java and refusal to equip several thousand former Dutch prisoners of war in Philippines and transport them to Indies where they are badly needed to augment small Dutch forces.
We are informed that Foreign Office is contemplating approach through Ambassador Loudon in Washington for shipping to evacuate Dutch women and children, undernourished and badly in need of medical treatment, who still remain to be evacuated nearly 4 months after Jap surrender. Embassy believes such approach, if made, should be given Department’s careful consideration with a view to giving support with shipping authorities. It is believed that, with Dutch ships still tied up in Allied shipping pool, any allocation of American shipping on humanitarian grounds to meet urgent needs of Dutch to evacuate their nationals would be a warranted and worthwhile investment of equipment.