856E.00/6–546: Telegram

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

secret
urgent

240. Sjahrir returned from Djocjakarta and said Indo leaders agreed Netherlands’ proposals far below expectations. Main objections Netherlands’ failure provide inclusion Sumatra in Indo Republic but he said there are many other objections. He said he will draft counter-proposals in few days and forward them to Soekarno at Djocja for his approval. Sjahrir said Dutch never told him that proposals (see my telegram 227, May 2780) were final offers. On previous occasion, however, he said Van Mook told him the offer was final and Van Mook confirmed this to me on two occasions.

Three Indo ministers have left cabinet and it appears Soekarno, not Sjahrir, will select successors, thus weakening Sjahrir.

Sjahrir said Indo leaders and cabinet has [have?] considered possible results of Dutch refusal of Indo counter-proposal but did not indicate that such might be. He added rather subtly that “removal Indo Government offices from Batavia to Djocja would depend on circumstances”.

There is no indication when any meeting between Van Mook and Sjahrir will occur.

[
Foote
]
  1. See footnote 74, p. 821.