501.BC Indonesia/6–2348: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Batavia
confidential
Washington, June
23, 1948—7 p. m.
286. Usgoc 115. Following is substance comments Neth Emb Wash on Dubois-Critchley plan. Pls comment.
- 1.
- First of 6 additional principles is interpreted by plan so as to leave nothing but “empty shell” of Neth sovereignty in interim period. Rep is maintained in its present position before the Constituent Assembly meets. Therefore a govt will be formed by that assembly which in practice will mean formation by Rep, and this govt will exercise fullness of governmental authority limited only by narrowly circumscribed veto of Gov Genl. This differs from Neth sovereignty envisaged during interim period. Both parties have accepted Renville principles without reservations; accordingly neither can in good faith call into question binding character those principles.
- 2.
- First of 6 additional principles provides that during interim period Neth may transfer certain rights, duties and responsibilities to prov fed govt. US-Aus proposal however makes acceptance by Rep of status of component state in Federation conditional upon almost full transfer of sovereign rights by Neth to prov govt, a transfer to Constituent Assembly which under present conditions would be elected in an atmosphere of constant intimidation on part of Rep.
- 3.
- Fourth of 6 additional principles is disregarded by calling into doubt significance of period before holding of plebiscites or the elections in lieu thereof. The interval necessary for preparation for elections [Page 266] is reduced to maximum of 3 months and no provision is made for necessary maintenance of law and order during this 3 months interval.
- 4.
- Plan disregards non-Rep Indonesians and non-Rep Indonesian organizations, who will be left at the mercy, during the interim period, of an interim govt which will as a practical matter be formed by a Rep-controlled Constituent Assembly.
- 5.
- Rep army as well as irregular combat troops acknowledging no allegiance to Rep (numbering according to Hatta some 460,000 men) will be left intact whereas Neth troops must be reduced and concentrated at a few points, thus leaving non-Rep Indonesians without protection.
Sent Batavia as 286, rptd The Hague as 270.
Marshall