501.BC Indonesia/4–2048: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
329. Gocus 237. ReUsgoc 80, March 29 [26]. Dutch state that formation political organism called “Daerahistimewa Sumatera Timoer” (roughly “embryonic State of East Sumatra”) was approved by NEI Govt decree of October 8, 1947 in compliance wishes population as expressed by a committee instituted for this purpose. Decree also recognized committee as provisional representative body of new organism. Further decree of December 25 noted it was wish of those concerned that this Daerahistimewa henceforth be termed Negara . Subsequently provisional representative body drafted statute and organization Negara which was authorized by order of February 16 containing regulations concerning assignment government rights and powers to “ Negara Sumatera Timoer”. Events of March 15 were “nothing but solemn festive installation of organs of member state”.
USDel unfamiliar with local situation East Sumatra, thought Livengood, who visited Medan February, might be able provide in [Page 150] formation.1 In general USDel inclined believe autonomous movements various Negaras and Daerahs are confined to individual political figures and coteries and that broadly based political movement, if any, are pro-Republic. Owing disorders and killings East Sumatra under Republic, pro-Republic sentiment there may be much weaker than in west Java. Several leaders autonomous movement East Sumatra formerly Republican, which not case west Java. Will endeavor obtain more information East Sumatra.
In areas taken from Republic, Dutch faced with alternative either (1) retaining military government or prewar type province or residency administration in which parties agree Indonesia had too limited role or (2) instituting government on state model, regardless whether known as such or not of representative character. It difficult see grounds Republic objection to Dutch pursuing second alternative. Seems to us violent Republic reactions based less on creation new state governments as such (unless Republic considers areas should be returned immediately its control without awaiting plebiscites) than on fact that investment new governments, without attendant fanfare and talk of “will of people”, rubs salt in Republic’s wounds and, despite Dutch assurances such states are provisional, appears give air permanence to dismemberment Republic. Republic has never for instant considered itself mere geographic part Indonesia or as other than political expression all Indonesian peoples.
GOC now awaiting Republic statement why it directed its representative at SC bring up East Sumatra when west Java and Madura debated. If discussion SC these two states proved unprofitable from Republic point view, East Sumatra will probably not be pressed. Our assumption is that any event question of creation new states by Dutch will be settled in terms west Java and Madura, on which considerable information will be available in GOC reports.
Department pass Hague.2