856E.01/6–2747: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
u.s. urgent
3526. 1. Foreign Office this morning showed us text of three urgent telegrams from Batavia, two of which despatched 26th and one 27th (all repeated British Embassy, Washington).
2. Important points were: (a) Van Mook had told Mitcheson night of 25th he thought Sjahrir unable bring back satisfactory reply and even if Republican response satisfactory he confident Republicans would not implement agreement; (b) Van Mook expressed view conditions in interior deteriorating, people disgusted with Republican regime and Republican Government unable control disparate elements, especially semi-independent military; (c) Van Mook told Mitcheson he authorized by The Hague to take military action if he found Republican reply unsatisfactory and he implied he ready take such action forthwith; (d) Republican reply due Batavia 27th, 2 p.m. Batavia time, to be signed by Soekarno and not Sjahrir who being retained as [Page 962] “Presidential Counsellor”;24 (e) Mitcheson recommended Foreign Office urgently request Dutch Government to withdraw authority to Van Mook to resort military action without previously consulting The Hague.
3. Foreign Office informs us it not following Mitcheson’s recommendation but awaiting information re nature Republican reply before considering what further action it may wish to take in matter.
Sent Department, repeated The Hague 42; Department pass Batavia.
- Telegram 434, June 27, 5 p.m., from The Hague, reported pessimism of the Foreign Office over the resignation of the Indonesian Prime Minister, regarded as a defeat for constructive elements in the Republican Government (856E.00/6–2747).↩