856E.00/8–447: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Batavia (Foote)
u. s. urgent
niact
216. Neth has accepted US offer of good offices but we have thus far received nothing which can be considered as an adequate Indo reply. An Indonesian message to President Security Council indicates that Indos accept US offer of good offices but request US use these good offices to induce Neth and Security Council to agree to set up international arbitration commission to be dispatched immediately to Indonesia.
It would appear Indos misunderstand nature our offer. You should therefore repeat offer to Indo authorities in its original terms (Deptel 209 Aug 4) pointing out that we did not contemplate participation by other states in the exercise of our good offices; that object our good offices was to bring the two parties together with least possible delay to work out between themselves equitable settlement present difficulties. We consider that acceptance by Indos in this sense is condition precedent to discussion of means by which settlement shall be brought about.
You should proceed immediately by plane to Djokjakarta and transmit above message personally to Indo authorities. Please report immediately and in detail to Dept on foregoing, from Djokja if possible,86 stating specifically whether Indos accept US offer on basis indicated above and including your comments and recommendations. Prompt reporting is essential in order that our representative at UN may be properly informed.
Also inquire of Indos re status Sjahrir and Salim now in US. Are either or both empowered represent Indos to US Govt or to Security Council or both?
Sent Batavia as 216; repeated to Hague as 398.87