856E.00/11–1446: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Netherlands (Hornbeck)
650. For your info following from London:
“9502, November 14, 5 p.m. Urgent. Dening and Allen in talks with Moffat28 state there has been some hardening of Dutch attitude [Page 853] recently and anticipate adverse Dutch Parliamentary reaction Indonesian “agreement due to be initialled November 15. They state Commission General due return immediately thereafter to Hague. Foreign Office has not yet seen text but expects receipt hourly. British intend without commenting details to stress to Dutch whenever possible serious danger to Netherlands if agreement rejected. They believe large scale warfare would result and Dutch could not afford campaign even though probably successful ultimately. Dening hopes US also will urge Netherlands not reject agreement. He fears even Parliamentary delays may provoke dangerous reaction impatient Indonesians.
Allen considers probable Indonesians will request, possibly with Dutch support, that UK, US and possibly other powers guarantee fair fulfillment agreement. Moffat expressed personal view US would not wish underwrite a Netherlands-Indonesian agreement. Allen stated Foreign Office felt same way and would probably in response such request suggest UN appropriate body for such undertaking. This though[t] feasible if Netherlands and Indonesians so request when registering agreement.”
Dept shares view para 1 above and considers prompt ratification by Dutch essential in order prevent hardening attitude extremist elements Indonesia and increasing difficulty Indonesian negotiators in obtaining full support. This position taken irrespective substance of agreement, full text of which not yet recd. Undersecy has already spoken informally to Van Boetzelaer29 above theme. Request you take appropriate opportunities make this view known in Hague.30
- The Chief of the Division of Southeast Asian Affairs was on a visit to London and The Hague.↩
- Under Secretary of State Acheson conversed with the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was on a visit to Washington.↩
- In telegram 7792, November 19, 6 p.m., to London, the Department briefly reported its position and added it was “receptive suggestions from Brit FonOff re other appropriate means encouraging prompt ratification.” (856E.00/11–1746) In telegram 928, November 21, 10 a.m., from The Hague, Ambassador Hornbeck reported finding Foreign Office in concurrence with the Department’s position (856E.00/11–2146).↩