856E.00/8–547: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Foote) to the Secretary of State
307. In radio broadcast last night Soekarno, as CinC of Republic Armed Forces, gave cease fire order effective at 12 midnite. After reviewing events since July 20, Soekarno said Security Council “appealed to us to cease hostilities”.
At ten p.m. last night Sjarifoeddin broadcasted via radio Djocjakarta to effect Republic considers itself no longer bound by Linggadjati Agreement. He stated Dutch violated agreement when they established autonomous states of Banka, Billiton and Riouw. He added Republic wishes solve conflict by peaceful means but that it wishes arbitration by international commission. He said truce means Republic’s fighting youth be released, reinstatement of Republic officials and withdrawal of troops to original demarcation lines. Sjarifoeddin pointed out there still many fighting organizations in action and it will be difficult contact them.
General opinion prevails among local Americans, Dutch, moderate Indonesians and others that cease fire order issued by Soekarno will not and cannot be enforced. This opinion based on experience which shows that similar orders issued by Indo civil authorities have never been carried out by Indonesian military and private fighting clubs.
Department please pass London and The Hague.