501.BC Indonesia/11–1048: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Batavia
us urgent
566. Usgoc 174. Dept most favorably impressed your handling situation arising from NethDel’s reaction to receipt Roem’s letter. Dept [Page 479] hopes as you do that Stikker-Hatta conversations can be productive not only of resumption negotiations under GOC auspices but also possible resolution certain serious substantive differences separating parties. If complete voluntary agreement can be reached on Stikker-Hatta conference level without assistance GOC, Dept of course would be delighted. Dept feels, however, as you do that either party has right to insist upon negotiating and reaching agreement under GOC auspices.
Dept officers Nov 9 gave Neth Amb and Counselor significant portions your account of Roem letter incident. When and if you signal Dept as to timing possible démarche to Neth described Usgoc 189,1 Dept will consider inviting Brit, Canadian and possibly Norwegian Govts to take similar action. For your strictly confidential info, Emb and military advisers Nanking have advised Dept that they expect Communist assault on Nanking before month is out and regard as most likely contingency the formation of Chinese Communist-dominated govt. These developments in China suggest most serious consequences throughout mainland south of China. Thus earliest achievement Neth-Indo Repub agreement imperative. It is to be hoped that both Neth and Hatta Govts perceive result of China developments on their respective positions.