Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, The Far East, Volume VI

856E.01/6–1747: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Netherlands ¹³

secret
us urgent

Washington, June 17, 1947—4 p.m.

292. You are requested immediately to make representations to Neth FonOff as set forth in numbered paras below.

1. US Govt is increasingly concerned over indications that military force may be resorted to in an effort to break deadlock in Indonesia. This Govt wishes again to express the view that the use of military force would not be regarded favorably by this Govt, would arouse serious adverse reaction US public opinion, and would be self-defeating in purpose. The foregoing applies as well to the “limited military operations” mentioned by Vredenburch on his recent mission to Wash as to a military campaign aimed at larger objectives.

2. This Govt feels that the interests and agreed objectives of the Neth Govt and of the Indo Republic provide a basis for continued negotiations with the possibility of achieving a prompt and workable agreement. We therefore feel very strongly that the door should not be closed to further negotiation, but that persistent efforts should be made to find a meeting ground between the two positions which were recently more clearly defined.

Repeated to London for info as 2592.

Marshall

13. Repeated in telegram 162, June 20, noon, to Batavia. Copies of this telegram and of telegram 160, infra, were transmitted on June 18 to President Truman with the statement “that an offer of ‘good offices’ is not being made”. (856E.01/6–1847)