501.BC Indonesia/12–2148: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 1
us urgent
niact
[Received December 21—9:49 a. m.]
1128. Gocus 503. Talked with Schuurman by phone 5:30 and 6 p. m. December 20 inquiring whether he had word from De Ranitz on safety and evacuation GOC group Kaliurang. When he replied negatively I formally requested after consultation with Colonel Mayer that permission be granted one of our military observers proceed Jogja by Netherlands plane morning December 21 provided no specific information in regard GOC group received by 7 a. m. December 21.
At 9:15 Schuurman informed me request for authority military observer proceed Jogja denied. He called on me at 10 p. m. to deliver letter transmitted in Gocus 502.2 I then emphatically sought overruling of military refusal which was obtained from higher authorities at 11 p. m. Major Deckers (Belgian military observer) left Batavia [Page 594] 11:30 this morning for Jogja with instructions report to US on GOC group and assist in safeguarding and evacuating them. At 11:30 this morning Schuurman told me no report yet received from De Ranitz.3 At 8:15 p. m. December 20 I interviewed American citizen Frances Earle who had been evacuated by Netherlands military forces from Jogja to Batavia with George Kahin and two other Americans arriving Batavia 5 p. m. December 20. I advised her give complete story attack on Jogja, of which she eyewitness, to American correspondent. Later in evening UP correspondent, who had interviewed Kahin, told me having difficulty getting stories out through Netherlands political and military censors. Said military material restricted to official communiqués which give entirely inadequate, one-sided and false picture. Press correspondents not permitted accompany troops. With ban having been strictly enforced recent weeks against foreigners moving into Repub, and with foreigners such as Earle and Kahin now being removed, little likelihood of firsthand information reaching outside world as to actual situation in Repub. At 8:30 today I interviewed Kahin and sent him to Colonel Mayer. Signed Cochran.