656D.006/2–647: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Foote) to the Secretary of State
40. Netherlands Indies Government issued a number of decrees on January 28 effective January 29 confirming import and export trade through ports of Republican de facto area. The decrees and their accompanying regulations are far too voluminous to telegraph but the following are the most important and urgent provisions thereof:
Ships bound for Republican ports must first stop at Dutch port for cargo inspection and clearance. If there is no contraband on board ship will be permitted to proceed. Contraband includes everything suitable for military purposes; all machinery and goods suitable for the manufacture of military equipment or munitions; all means of transport by sea, land, air; radio telegraph and telephone equipment; gold, silver and all currencies.
The only goods which may be exported freely from Republican ports are so-called native produce distinguished from European plantation or estate products. All exports of estate products from Republican ports are prohibited and ships carrying such cargo may be taken into Dutch ports, unloaded and cargos confiscated. Cinchona and derivatives, tea and palm oil are classified as estate products in all areas of the Netherland Indies. In addition, estate products in Java and Madoera also include coffee, rubber, cane sugar, tobacco and fibers.
North of the line Bengkalis–Sibolga in Sumatra, Gambier, rubber, tobacco and fibers are classed as estate products and are not subject to legal exportation from Republican ports. Native pepper, tea, tapioca in Java; and native coffee, rubber, tobacco, copra, gums and rattan in south Sumatra presumably may be exported.
Dutch Navy is expected to be very strict in the application and enforcement of the regulations.
It is suggested that the Isthmian Steamship Company, Isbrandtsen Steamship Company, American Lines and any other companies interested in the ocean carrying trade be informed of the contents of this telegram.
Full texts of the decrees and accompanying regulations have been forwarded by air pouch via Legation at Cairo.