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

856E.00/9–2546: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman) to the Secretary of State

secret

London, September 25, 1946—noon.
[Received September 26—12:22 p.m.]

8411. 1. By informal conversation at FonOff incidental to other business, we gather that British appraisal Netherlands Indonesian problem is this:

a. Netherlands made initial error in method by stubborn delay in setting up Commission General, now fortunately ended by its arrival Netherlands East Indies;

b. In substance, British feel on basis of confidential Netherlands disclosure of plans that Netherlands will go too far in self-govt concessions to Indonesians. FonOff officials state categorically that if it were a British problem, British would not make substantial concessions equal to those they have grounds to believe Netherlands intends;

c. British interest would dictate greater formal and smaller substantial concessions, but problem is Netherlands one, delicate and explosive, and FonOff is convinced that British representatives have scrupulously avoided involvement.

2. A genuine Netherlands conviction that British are meddling (Deptel 6762, September 20, 9 p.m.¹⁵) fits in with nothing observable here. Van Mook apparently requested (confirmed by letter) Killearn preside first meeting.

3. Embassy would be interested in Hague’s appraisal.

Gallman

15. Not printed; it requested London and The Hague (telegram 540) to appraise British influence on the negotiations in the East Indies (856E.00/9–2046).