856E.00/8–1947: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Batavia
228. Inform Indo officials that in view Indos’ preference for arbitration we consider our offer good offices as lapsed.
For your use if desired Dept issued following statement to press Aug 19:
“On Aug 14 Dept instructed AmConGen Batavia convey this Govt’s offer good offices for third and last time to Indo authorities, in hope they would accept our good offices unconditionally as had the Dutch. Foote also instructed inform them that if they insisted on specifying particular method of settlement without taking into account its acceptability to other party our offer good offices would necessarily lapse and US would then have no alternative other than inform Neth Govt and SC that Indo authorities had not accepted our offer. Since Indo reply received on Aug 19 repeated same conditions as before, our offer is considered to have lapsed. Neth Govt, Indo authorities and SC being informed of lapse of our offer. However such lapse does not end our concern in matter. As indicated in Dept’s statement Aug 16 we continue be interested and desire be helpful in achieving a peaceful solution.”