Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, The Far East, Volume VI

501.BC/8–2047: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Netherlands

confidential
u. s. urgent
niact

Washington, August 21, 1947—6 p.m.

429. Urtel 617.⁴ Pls inform FonMin urgently that this Govt strongly hopes, as stated by me to Van Kleffens on Aug 18, that the Neth Govt will not resort again to military action in Indonesia. Pls emphasize that in our view such a step would be like opening Pandora’s box, that ultimate results although at present unforeseeable in all detail are likely to be highly detrimental to the long-term interests of the Netherlands. More immediately, in view of feeling in Security Council, such action might entail serious consequences, perhaps even sanctions. Should sanctions be proposed in Security Council in the sense of Art 41, it is unlikely that the US would be able to oppose.

As regards steps to be taken by this Govt with respect to Dutch position vis-à-vis Security Council, next following telegram gives points to be made in Security Council tomorrow by Johnson.

Repeated to Batavia as 232.⁵

Lovett

4. August 20, 5 p.m., not printed; it reported the possibility of renewal of military action by the Netherlands (501.BC/8–2047).
5. Repeated to New York as No. 368.