501.BC Indonesia/10–1147: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 20
395. From Foote: From SC Consular Commission for the Security Council. The following is summary of main points of consular report which is completed and unanimously agreed upon and which will be forwarded earliest possible moment by air as chapter 4. Exact date of departure from Batavia will be telegraphed:21
“Paragraph 1. Cease fire orders were duly given but there was no confidence by Dutch or Indonesians that the other side would carry them out, and no attempt was made by either side to come to an agreement with the other about means of giving effect to the order.
Paragraph 2. While the Republican Government ordered their troops to remain in their positions and to cease hostilities, the NEI [Page 1054] Government considered it incumbent on them to proceed with the restoration of law and order within the limits of the lines laid down by them.
Paragraph 3. The rapid Dutch advance bypassed considerable Republican forces, which remained in their positions in accordance with the Republican cease fire order, while they were subject to mopping up operations by troops under Dutch command in accordance with the Dutch interpretation of the order. The Republican Government directed their forces to defend themselves and to oppose movements within Dutch held territory. The different interpretations of the cease fire order by each side thus made it impossible for the order to be observed.
Paragraph 4. Apart from actions involving regular forces, a considerable amount of banditry, including murder, arson and looting, is still being carried on to some extent by irregular bands.
Paragraph 5. The population suffered considerably even before the police action from banditry and the scorched earth policy. This was intensified during and after the police action. The Chinese were a special target.
Paragraph 6. Administration and cultivation are proceeding under emergency conditions in both Dutch and Republican held territory. In the former there is considerable fear of banditry in the meantime and Republican reprisals in the future. In the latter there are widespread shortages due to the cessation of normal export and import trade. In Republican areas the food situation in most districts is good at present but may deteriorate in a few months time.
Paragraph 7. The influential class of Indonesians who number not more than live percent of the population are practically all nationalists and seek some form of independence, although not necessarily supporting the present Republic. There is little hatred of the Dutch whose assistance in running the country is recognized as essential.”
Livengood
- Repeated by the Department to The Hague in telegram 515, October 14, 1 p.m., and to London in 4422.↩
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Telegrams 398 and 399, October 14 and 15, from Batavia, reported that the Committee’s report, drawn up without military assistance, was ready to he sent by plane. Military reports, when prepared, would follow or be made available to the Good Offices Committee. The report stressed violence by irregular bands. Mr. Foote added:
“… if Dutch forces withdraw from recently occupied areas, slaughter and other forms of retaliation will be so great as to stagger the world. Our government should stand firm and demand consideration of opinions of other parts of NEI other than middle Java which is hub of present Republic.” (501.BC Indonesia/10–1447, 10–1547)
Telegram 399 was repeated by the Department to Sydney for Frank P. Graham in No. 366, October 16, and to The Hague in No. 521, October 17.
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