501.BC Indonesia/11–1048: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State
us urgent
[Received November 10—5:37 p. m.]
Delga 688. Van Roijen, head of Netherlands delegation, requested interview with US representative handling Indonesia in SC. He stated he had returned from weekend talk with Prime Minister and wished to discuss grave and serious view Netherlands takes of Indonesian situation. He read from October 28 letter of Schuurman to Cochran about serious nature of truce violations and developing this subject he spoke of 250 violations weekly and scorched earth policy of Republican Government. In reply to question he stated evidence of these violations well documented, could largely be prevented and Republic’s order of the day utterly insufficient. He urged that Cochran should use moral force of US Government to cause Republic to stop these actions. His government is adamant in its refusal to negotiate political agreements while substantial truce violations continue. He also [Page 481] alluded to US supplying textiles which Netherlands long ago offered Republic.
He stated other serious deterioration of situation with 11,000 Republican troops returning to pockets from which they had withdrawn and he stated that military principles of equal importance with political ones in Renville agreement.
Unless truce violations improve he forsees, (a) “limited action,” to clear pockets, (b) possibly a more general police action and, (c) at least a possibility of Netherlands withdrawal from Indies leaving it as UN problem.
After hearing him out we enquired plans as to Bandung group. He stated Netherlands is willing to delay Bandung arrangement to get political agreement with Republic or to allow Republic to participate in it.
In conclusion he referred to Canadian’s information from Asiatic sources that Netherlands Government is not serious about seeking political agreement with Republic. He pointed to recent trip of Foreign Minister to Republican territory as indicating government’s good faith. He reverted to murder resulting from truce violations and added his government is fully aware of consequences not only in Indies but in the world of possible courses of Netherlands action to suppress them.
In light of Department’s Gadel 282 of October 221 and our Delga 651 of November 8,2 Department may wish to consider having Secretary discuss US views with head of Netherlands delegation. Today’s statement might be construed as notice of fairly immediate action and Department may want to answer allegations as to truce violations, US motives for supplying textiles to Republic, and consider question of taking up Netherlands threat to quit Indies, with a view indicating our concern and insistence that parties proceed with peaceful negotiations.
Sent Department; Dept pass Batavia as Paris 3.3