856E.01/6–1847: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Baruch) to the Secretary of State
413. Presented today contents Deptel 292, June 17. Van Boetzelaer stated that he had been informed by Loudon of instructions sent to Foote in Batavia, and was duly cognizant and grateful for our interests and efforts.
With reference to paragraph 1, he stated that his Government had prepared a final analysis of the last reply from the Indo-Republican Government (Embtel 412, June 18, 6 p.m.14) and that generally they found it most unsatisfactory; that they could continue their efforts to reach a peaceful settlement but that there always remained the unhappy possibility of the limited military operations mentioned by Vredenburch to you in Washington as a last resort. They are duly mindful of the importance of our suggestions and deeply respected the same, but felt that time was of the essence, and they thought they would not retire from the general position taken by them as stated in their note of May 27.
He stated that they would not close the door on further negotiations but they felt that they had already made many concessions and that the Indo-Republicans instead of approaching their position had receded constantly, seeming to persistently and continuously make new and more divergent demands.
Foreign Minister restated his belief that the Indo-Republican Government were avoiding the issue of federation and the Linggadjati goal of the US of Indonesia; that the Dutch Government had already received repercussions from east Borneo and eastern Indonesian sections expressing their absolute objection to being dominated by the Indonesian Republican Government.
[Page 952]The impression I received from the interview with the Minister was that he had a quiet determination to do what his Government thought was necessary in the situation, but he has a sincere desire to avoid armed conflict; that he would do everything possible up to a certain point to bring about an early and peaceful solution, but did not think the situation would brook prolonged and unproductive negotiations in the eastern manner.
Sent Department 413; repeated London 47.
- Not printed.↩