856e.00/9–1048: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Baruch) to the Secretary of State 1
593. In absence of Foreign Minister, discussed informally with Secretary General Lovink matter contained in your 430 September 9, 5 [6] p. m. Lovink assured me that it was policy of his government to do everything possible to achieve an agreement with Djocja which would make feasible an acceptable political agreement under Renville Agreements. He agreed in principle with suggestion of building up [Page 332] Hatta and said that Van Mook had had serious conversations with Hatta along this line. He further expressed himself as believing that if suggestion contained in our informal conversation could be followed out he was very fearful that Hatta with all of backing Netherlands could give him might fail in carrying Djocja government with him; that if Hatta were placed in position of agreeing to any workable plan he doubted very much if Djocja would follow him and that Hatta’s position would be seriously jeopardized in this way which Lovink would deplore, but Lovink understands acuteness of situation and will immediately place suggestion before his government as forcefully as he can within limitations above outlined by him.
It is my opinion that present Netherlands Government is deeply cognizant of its responsibilities and extremely anxious for helpful suggestions and will do everything in their power to achieve political agreement within government’s responsibilities to the Netherlands people.
- Repeated in telegram 418, September 13, 7 p. m., to Batavia.↩