Office of the Historian

856E.01/12–1846: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Netherlands (Hornbeck)

secret
Washington, December 19, 1946—7 p.m.

712. Urtel 990 Dec 18.34 Dutch Ambassador called at Dept yesterday afternoon on instructions from his Govt and, in reply to his inquiry, was assured we had no intention in issuing our release35 of influencing action in the States General and that it had been our clear understanding that authorization for signature had been given.36 He was told that he could so inform his Govt.

Statement Dec 10 in Aneta, official Dutch News Agency, reads “The Netherlands Government announced today that it had authorized the Commission General for the Netherlands Indies to sign the draft agreement”.

You may, in your discretion, inform FonOff our position as outlined above, adding that we would regret interpretation Dept’s release which caused embarrassment Dutch Govt.

For your secret info: Loudon stated that speaking personally he was gratified by both fact and content Dept release.

Byrnes
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. For text of statement released December 17, see Department of State Bulletin, December 29, 1946, p. 1188.↩
  3. On December 20 the Netherlands Parliament gave the necessary approval (telegram 998, December 20, from The Hague, filed under 856E.01/12–2046).↩