856E.00/7–3146: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Batavia (Foote)
263. Following is Moscow’s 3045, July 31:
“Criticism in Soviet press of American policy in Indonesia seems to be keeping pace with mounting attacks on American activities in China and Japan. Roger Moran in July 28 Izvestiya quotes from Mark Twain’s notebook: 200 Indians were killed; what did this cost; $2,000,000; for this sum they might have been given higher education. Moran then ties in ‘this gloomy joke’ with news report from Hague that USA had given Dutch administration in Indonesia 100,000,000 credit to buy US arms. Few Indians, he continues, are left in USA. Capital must be invested in other business. Following old habits enterprising Yankees instead of providing credit to Indonesian Republic for education are putting millions into arming Indonesia’s enslavers.
Following sent Moscow and repeated Hague:
“No arms, munitions or implements of war have been or will be included in any military surpluses transferred to Neth Indies Govt under 100 million dollar credit. No objection your discretion use this info as you wish.”