501.BC Indonesia/11–748: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 1
us urgent
986. Gocus 437. I called on Stikker 11 a. m. today at his request and talked about 1¼ hours. He had cancelled his trip to Jogja planned for today and instructed his party return to Batavia this afternoon. He said Republic delegation letter which he had received last night (Gocus 4362) was cause. Stikker stated he found I had prepared way well for his reception and negotiations in Republic and that after first reconnoitering period negotiations developed usefully in excellent spirit. Said progress made on fixing election date, reduction TNI, delimitation states, etc. Said he had come to Batavia Saturday to show Netherlands officials here 60–page report he had prepared in Kaliurang and to discuss further progress in negotiations, also contact Cabinet at Hague.
He said Republic delegation message reached him last night just when he had overcome certain difficulties with local group of Beel, Spoor and Neher. These men had been arguing for more authority for Crown commissioner than Stikker had thought necessary, and were opposing what they thought too generous attitude toward Republic on part Stikker. He said they immediately construed this letter as violation of confidence and tried to make of it evidence to show Stikker that he could not trust Republicans and was overestimating possibility of their being responsible for any agreement they might enter. Opposition to his further negotiating arose. He telegraphed full report of situation to Cabinet Saturday night and is now awaiting response. In meantime he has told press that letter received from Republic obliged him remain Batavia for consultation and staff coming from Jogja to join him.
I recalled to Stikker that it had been my initiative in asking Schuurman permit me tell Hatta no reply would be required to Netherlands delegation letter October 28 until Hatta and Stikker had opportunity confer and then decide what type of answer was warranted. I told him I had gone personally to Jogja to deliver Netherlands delegation letter and to tell Hatta of this concession. I said Hattá has asked my advice on this point. I said I had told him I could not advise him but that if I were in his position I would defer reply until after conference with Stikker. I said Hatta had taken this position and I had accordingly advised Schuurman. Stikker stated that in his conversations with Hatta from November 4 to 6 Hatta had given no indication reply was being sent or had been made under date November 3. Stikker also remarked that coming from Jogja to Batavia in plane yesterday, he [Page 472] had asked Supomo whether Republic replying to Netherlands delegation letter, and Supomo said something about necessity translating proposed reply.
I explained Supomo had seen me at airport and had asked for appointment last night. He had then delivered to me two sealed envelopes. On opening one I found it contained Republic delegation reply. After reading this, I asked Supomo if it was intended I should transmit this immediately to Netherlands delegation. He noted that it was in original and several copies. He [I?] read original slowly while Supomo read copy. After reading it, he said he presumed it should be passed on without question. I told Stikker that it was definitely my impression that Supomo had not only been unfamiliar with contents of envelope, but was also unfamiliar with contents of letter until I showed it to him. I added that I had told Supomo I would deliver letter as soon as possible. Shortly afterwards, I had seen Riphagen at dinner in hotel; had told him of receipt of letter; and asked whether I should bring it to Palace later in evening. Riphagen had asked that I do this.
I took letter to Riphagen at 11 o’clock. After latter read it he asked if we could discuss it. I said I could add nothing to it, since it had just been received by me for transmittal without comment. Riphagen and I were surprised that written reply had been sent at this stage, after Hatta had said he would take advantage of concession conveyed through me, and since negotiations apparently were moving smoothly. Riphagen said letter was unfortunate. I told him, however letter might be considered, I had no choice but to get it to Palace prior Stikker’s return to Kaliurang following morning. Said reply should not be considered too important since Stikker and Hatta were still in conversations and if outcome successful, all these questions of what to discuss before GOC would disappear. I had volunteered to Riphagen that I would wait and talk with Stikker about this letter if latter desired or would be at airport early next morning if preferred. Riphagen said he would telephone me if Minister desired see me either time. I received no call.
Stikker was greatly disappointed this complication had arisen. He said was playing rather lone hand but genuinely convinced he was on right course and had chance succeeding in spite political opposition in Netherlands and strong resentment on part local officials against his coming and his tactics in negotiation. Said he could do nothing now until he had reply from Cabinet as to whether he should continue negotiations. Said Beel opposed idea and that local officials would presumably make case to Hague against him if he went on contrary their advice. I told Stikker I admired greatly courage he had shown [Page 473] in coming here to undertake this difficult task and especially to go to Republic with straightforward approach in trying circumstances. I said we must not let his mission fail now, particularly as result of matter of such minor importance as this one, no matter how prone local officials were to exaggerate its importance. He said results of breaking off negotiations would be serious, since he genuinely felt this was last chance. I said I had come to this realization lately. Consequently I desired do everything now help overcome this obstacle.
I reminded him that letter was signed by Roem and might conceivably have been prepared and dispatched by him without consultation with, or knowledge of, Hatta. I volunteered get in touch with Hatta, and ascertain whether Hatta had actually approved letter. In any circumstances, Hatta should be given chance explain or withdraw letter. Stikker said as far as he was concerned, he did not consider question of letter sufficiently contentious or serious to cause any trouble whatever. He said Batavia officials had, however, taken such strong position that he could not possibly continue negotiations until matter cleared. He said prime obstacle now is objection of Beel. I volunteered explain my part in matter to Beel and then to see if we could work out some solution. Stikker said he and Beel lunching together and he would telephone me if Beel receptive to my approach. Once more I stressed my great desire help him achieve success in his negotiations and prevent military action.
I was received by Beel alone 5 p. m. I reviewed story of threatened breakdown of negotiations as result Republic reply, narrated herein above. Beel said this had been an “impudent” act on part of Republic which Stikker could not tolerate. I said Stikker had not taken offense at contents of letter. Furthermore, I did not see that Netherlands Government could find ground for complaint when Republic delegation answered letter addressed to it by Netherlands delegation. I remarked that after I was at Palace this morning, I had even received suggestion from Washington to effect that a compromise might be arranged exactly along lines set forth by Republic delegation in their letter, that is, for concurrent discussions (Usgoc 1893). If Netherlands delegation dissatisfaction is now with respect to substance, I thought this unwarranted. If complaint is because Republic delegation did answer before Stikker-Hatta conversations were terminated, and Hatta had not availed himself of leeway accorded by Netherlands delegation, this was still no breach of faith. Furthermore, I doubted that Supomo knew he was carrying a reply, and it was quite possible that Roem as chairman Republic delegation had written reply without final clearance with Hatta.
[Page 474]Beel argued that this only reaffirmed impression which Netherlands Government has had for long time as to character of Republic Government and of futility trying to deal with them on any basis. I said Netherlands Government has expressed its interest in supporting Hatta. I said Stikker’s approach had been first friendly gesture to Hatta Government on part of Netherlands Government in long time and had been gratefully received. I was sure Hatta would not knowingly offend Stikker. I thought it wrong for Netherlands delegation condemn Hatta without either seeking explanation directly from him, or accepting my offer go to Jogja Monday and clear up matter.
Beel said impossible get anywhere with Republic unless they would speak frankly and recognize sovereignty of Grown. I had gained impression from Stikker that conversations had been surprisingly satisfactory. I added that if there were really some basic differences coming out in negotiations which caused them to be broken off, this would be something different from attributing impasse to such an inconsequential incident as letter. I said I could understand there might be question over size of TNI or over powers of Crown Commissioner. If these things cannot be decided now, GOC is proper forum for their discussion. I said we had worked for months toward getting parties into GOC for discussion on what we think fair basis. I said present Stikker-Hatta conversations could be useful as preliminary thereto, especially if they might remove numerous conditions which Netherlands delegation has imposed thereon. I did not think these conversations were taking place of GOC negotiations or should be permitted break down in such fashion as to impair opportunity for GOC negotiations in near future.
Beel said this was all matter for his government in Hague to decide. He said report had been telegraphed and that Stikker would return to Hague accompanied by Neher to make report in premises. I said I had not understood from Stikker any instruction had been received ordering him to Hague. Beel admitted that such instructions had not yet been received. I said that in circumstances I took liberty of suggesting that effort be made to keep Stikker here and resume negotiations quickly as possible. I said if negotiations are disrupted for many days, as would be inevitable if Stikker returns Hague, position of Hatta would suffer and situation be worsened rather than improved by Stikker visit. I said my government was unhappy that I had not yet succeeded getting parties to negotiate in GOC on USDel plan and I was sure my government would consider the letter very flimsy basis for disrupting or otherwise prejudicing negotiations. I said I had told my government recently I interpreted local signs as indicating determination in certain official circles to have police action [Page 475] shortly. I said breaking off negotiations as evidently planned would in my mind increase danger of police action. I said I intended promptly to inform my government in this sense. Beel said that he would confer with Stikker and Neher and make report of our conversation to his government. He said responsibility was in Hague. I said we on spot have responsibility to keep our respective governments thoroughly informed and that I was endeavoring to carry out that task on my part. I repeated that I thought this group locally would be acting very foolishly if they recommended to Hague that negotiations be disrupted for reasons he had mentioned.
Supomo came 6:30 his request. Had spent day at Jogja. Said Hatta greatly disturbed over cessation negotiations and making of incident over letter. Hatta asked Supomo present his explanation to Stikker. Supomo also desired make his own explanation since he had traveled with Stikker. To me Supomo said decisions taken November 3 to prepare Republic’s delegation reply in sense drafted. Roem had not cleared its despatch with Hatta and latter expressed annoyance over this indicating he did not desire it sent pending outcome negotiations. Signed Cochran.