501.BC Indonesia/11–148: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
963. Gocus 426. Aneta news bulletin November 1 carried following story from Batavia:
“Dutch Government regards Indo Republic’s reply to proposals for resumption of political negotiations after 5 month old deadlock as unsatisfactory, usually reliable sources said in Batavia last night. They said Dutch reaction had been conveyed to Republic Premier Hatta [Page 450] Saturday when Cochran and Naryanan, general secretary of GOC, flew to Republic capital.
Same sources repeated statement made Saturday and later denied by Dutch spokesman at Hague that invitation also extended to Hatta by Dutch and Indo Provisional Federal Government to come to Batavia for important ‘peace or war’ talks with Stikker, Dutch Foreign Minister, who arrived here by air last night. They said invitation had been sent by Van Mook and it was inconceivable that he was acting without knowledge of Dutch Government.
Republic sources in Batavia also said Hatta had received Dutch invitation and was considering his reply. Proposals for resumption of negotiations were made informally by Cochran in ‘oral note’ to both Dutch and Republicans. Since then Cochran is believed to have given Republic amendments suggested by Dutch and Dutch request that Republic keep military and economic clauses of Renville Agreement providing for truce in Java and Sumatra, Later Mr. Cochran is believed to have transmitted Republic’s reply and comments to Dutch authorities in Batavia. According to Dutch sources, truce is deteriorating alarmingly in west Java.
Stikker consequently was expected by well-informed circles here to tell Hatta that he was willing resume negotiations. At same time he would press for proof of Republic’s capacity to fulfill truce before deciding if negotiations could have useful result.
A prominent Republican said here that if Stikker decided that Republic unable to keep truce provisions he expected truce agreement to collapse and Dutch army would probably march on Joe Jakarta, Republic capital.”
Signed Cochran.