Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The Far East, Volume VIII

856E.00/5–3046: Telegram

The Consul General at Batavia (Foote) to the Secretary of State

top secret
rush

Batavia, May 30, 1946—11 p.m.
[Received May 31—8:31 a.m.]

233. General Spoor⁷⁷ and Count Bylandt informed me today following results of Singapore Conference last week:

1. British to relinquish in favor of Dutch all authority in all NEI except Java and Sumatra.

2. British to give up all authority in Java and Sumatra except in areas actually occupied by them. This would give Dutch free hand all areas except cities Batavia, Bandoeng and Buitenzorg in Java, and Padang, Palembang and half of Medan in Sumatra. Bandoeng, Java, will be turned over to Dutch in about two weeks.

3. Dutch agree if they get in tight spot militarily they will not ask for British help.

4. At earliest possible moment Dutch will clear Palembang of terrorists to protect oil installations and make rubber and other exports that residency available.

5. Above propositions agreed to at Singapore and sent to London for approval. London’s reply expected by end next week.

6. British staff here believe Nehru⁷⁸ will be first Prime Minister of India and that one his first acts will be recall Indian troops from NEI.

7. If above approved by British Govt London⁷⁹ Dutch anticipate very little trouble since most natives would welcome peace and protection.

Foote

77. Lt. Gen. S. H. Spoor, Commander in Chief, Netherlands Indies Army.
78. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, a leader of the Indian Congress Party.
79. On July 13 the British General Headquarters at Batavia issued a statement on the termination of the military task performed by British and Indian troops in the Netherlands East Indies except Java, Sumatra, and the Riouw archipelago. Netherlands authority would thereafter maintain law and order.