856E.00/1–1746: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Nertherlands (Hornbeck) to the Secretary of State26
[Received January 17—7:27 p.m.]
68. In yesterday’s meeting of the Second Chamber, Mr. Logemann,27 replying to criticism of Govt’s handling of Indies problem, stated that Govt was prepared to accord “the nationalist conception a fully recognized status within the Kingdom”, said the Indonesian question was an international question, so delicate that the Govt had been unable to inform the Second Chamber of everything that had happened and was to happen; denied that the Sahrir group should be looked upon as Jap puppets and declared that if negotiations with Sahrir were unsuccessful it would be serious but Govt would in that case be able to rely upon international approval to take such measures as would appear necessary; affirmed, with regard to refusal to let Netherlands troops operate in Java, that an open break with Allied [Force] could not be risked; stated that there would not seem to be any unanimity among Netherlands people with regard to attitude toward solution of the conflict and that Lieutenant Governor merely carried out Govt’s policy; remarked with regard to publicity and press that communications were bad; said that in international sense Netherlands was rowing against the tide; said in conclusion it was no use to talk about what Netherlands had achieved in Indies—the Colonial relationship was outdated and world expected Netherlands to steer new course.