856E.01/6–2547: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Foote) to the Secretary of State
248. Deptel 160, June 17. Since making representations, have followed through by making two appeals personally both Sjahrir and Gani. Also discussed matter fully with Van Mook in same vein. Sjahrir realizes fully danger present situation and apparently anxious conclude agreement largely on basis Dutch note May 27. After my last visit to Sjahrir he called meeting Indonesian Delegation and some members Indonesian Cabinet after which he delivered new note to Commanding [Commission] General which little more polite and conciliatory but still failing agree with Dutch note of May 27 or make any changes in Indonesian note of June 7. At noon June 23, Van Mook visited Sjahrir and delivered note on behalf of Netherlands Govt text of which is urgent appeal to Indonesians accept Dutch proposals. In addition to appeal, note contains seven points in effort prove Dutch note in no way contradicts principles of Linggadjati Agreement. These points are:
- 1.
- Indonesian nationalism must obtain full liberty to organize itself and develop itself in Indonesian federal state.
- 2.
- Netherlands and Indonesia should retain common organization in interests both countries and international community of nations.
- 3.
- In order achieve future political structure, both existing legal position and factual relations must be taken into consideration.
- 4.
- Importance of East Indonesia, Borneo and Republic as component parts must be recognized in order give them place in real federation to which they entitled and which they desire.
- 5.
- Fundamental rights and liberties must be guaranteed to all races, groups and individual citizens in Indonesia.
- 6.
- Preparation of new political organizations in all Indonesia must be supported by adequate force, strength of which must be adapted to the measure in which guarantees of law and order are realized.
- 7.
- Economic rehabilitation of Indonesia as whole must be taken in hand at once on foundation of freedom, security and in interest both parties.
Late yesterday Sjahrir, Gani and other members Indonesian Cabinet went Djocja where full Cabinet meeting held today during which it likely Indonesian final decision be made re Dutch note May 27. Many people fear there no solution to apparently hopeless situation. These opinions based on following: Sjahrir and other moderates favor agreement but are opposed by other elements such as Communist Alimin, Indonesian General Soedirman and others. They fear if Sjahrir agrees to Dutch proposals his Cabinet may fall or Indonesians would torpedo any attempts to implement agreement; if Indonesians accept, opinion is general they will have no power to restore law and order in Sumatra; in event Indonesian Cabinet falls, Alimin or Soedirman or both may try overthrow Soekarno and seize Indonesian Govt by staging coup d’état; in such event it feared East Java, West Java and Sumatra will fall away from Republic, feeling also general that military operations, probably limited in extent, would become unavoidable. It believed likely that Indonesian final reply will reach Van Mook by June 27.