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

501.BC/8–3047: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Batavia ¹¹

confidential
us urgent

Washington, September 4, 1947—5 p.m.

237. Reurtel 341 Aug 30.¹² Dept desires depend your judgment in consultation other career consuls in developing plans and practical arrangements joint report but offers following suggestions your guidance:

1. Consuls should visit major areas both Dutch and Indo if possible; should not travel in body but should divide task so that each consul observes selected Dutch and Indo areas and makes report; reports should be worked over in concert to form single comprehensive report; task should be completed soonest possible, perhaps 2 to 4 weeks; Dept hopes that single joint report submitted in near future will suffice and that situation will not require additional reports. However, SC or other Consuls might feel situation requires subsequent report.¹³

2. Dept can probably arrange provide six to eight military aides in addition to naval personnel already at Batavia to assist you in observation. In event career consuls travel separately you may share aides with other consuls if they so desire.

3. Your No. Para 5 indicates nature report expected on Indos which should be enlarged to full coverage and which should be balanced by parallel reporting on Dutch activities.

Reports should be limited actual observance cease-fire orders and conditions prevailing and might include assessment responsibility for failure either party comply cease-fire orders.

Lovett

11. Repeated to The Hague in telegram 453, September 9, 11 a.m., and to London in telegram 3904.
12. Not printed.
13. Telegram 246, September 11, 6 p.m., to Batavia, suggested that the joint report be telegraphed directly to the Security Council, with further air-mail reports if needed (501.BC/9–347).