656D.006/4–247: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Netherlands
163. Urtel 201, Mar 22.51 Inform FonOff Isbrandtsen by letter Apr 2 rejected Neth proposals Martin Behrman, stating Neth requirement Isbrandtsen waive legal rights old cargo (Dept’s 146, Mar 25, Embtel 219, Mar 2951) “completely ignores our interests as factors and merchants of which position Dutch well aware when arrangements made originally.
In view our attitude previously expressed and now more especially because of this condition, since added by Dutch, requiring waiver by us of all our rights, we are compelled to reject this latest proposal as unfair, unjust and in direct violation of the Agreement we had with Netherlands Indies Govt before Martin Behrman set sail for Netherlands East Indies.”52
- See footnote 43, p. 910.↩
- See footnote 43, p. 910.↩
- The ship sailed for Singapore on April 3 without cargo (656D.006/4–547). On April 21 the Department wrote Mr. Isbrandtsen that he “should take appropriate measures to exhaust all legal remedies available” in Netherlands courts before being entitled to diplomatic interposition in support of claims against the Netherlands (656D.006/4–347). On April 22 Consul General Foote was informed by the district judge at Batavia that the ship’s case would be reviewed August 25 when the master should appear or be represented by local attorney, as otherwise the case would be decided against him (656D.006/4–2247).↩