501.BC Indonesia/1–1048: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia ( Livengood ) to the Secretary of State
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36. From Graham No. 90. Vredenburch informed US delegation afternoon January 10 that on strength telegram from Hague reporting conversations Van Kleffens with Department, Netherlands delegation was prepared accept principles mytel 84, January 6. Procedure desired by Netherlands delegation was for GOC on date signing truce submit principles publicly to parties requesting their acceptance within forty-eight [Page 73] hours. Vredenburch stated he willing assure GOC now Netherlands would accept principles and that GOC could so inform Republic in connection discussions truce plan Jogja January 11. Scott1 and Ogburn then [consulted?] Vredenburch and Van Mook in order go over final draft on which GOC would act later. Dutch, however, refused depart from text principles received from Hague except minor matters phraseology, and since their text based condensed cable version sent Department mytel 84 and apparently corrupted in form received by Hague, some difficulties were encountered. Statement finally agreed on as follows:
- 1.
- Sovereignty throughout Netherlands Indies is and remains with Kingdom Netherlands until, after stated interval, Kingdom Netherlands transfers sovereignty to USI. Prior termination stated interval, Kingdom Netherlands may confer appropriate rights, duties and responsibilities on provisional federal government of territories future USI. USI when created will be sovereign and independent state in equal partnership with Kingdom Netherlands in Netherlands-Indo union at head of which shall be King Netherlands. Status Republic will be that of state within UST [ USI ].
- 2.
- In any provisional federal government created prior ratification constitution future USI all states will be offered fair representation.
- 3.
- Prior dissolution GOC, either party may request services GOC be continued assist in adjusting differences between parties which relate political agreement and which may arise during interim period. Other party will interpose no objection such request; this request would be brought attention SC by Netherlands.
- 4.
- Within period not less six months or more than year from signing political agreement, plebiscite will be held to determine whether populations various territories Java, Madura, Sumatra wish their territory form part republic or of other state in USI, such plebiscite to be conducted under observation GOC should either party accordance procedure para three request services GOC this capacity. Parties may agree that another method ascertaining will of populations may be employed in place plebiscite.
- 5.
- Following delineation states in accordance procedure paragraph 4, constitutional convention will be convened through democratic procedures to draft constitution for USI. Representation various states in convention will be proportion their populations.
- 6.
- Should any state decide not ratify constitution and desire accordance principles Articles 3 and 4 Linggadjati to negotiate special relationship with USI and Kingdom Netherlands, neither party will object.
Version principles received from Hague had “free elections and plebiscites” in paragraph 4. Dutch very insistent necessity option this matter, considering plebiscites difficult apply Indonesia. Scott and [Page 74] Ogburn reviewed value these principles from Netherlands point view and emphasized entire value would be lost if any method consulting will of people other than plebiscite accepted unless parties agreed on such other method. Made clear US delegation would drop whole matter unless plebiscite accepted without alternative except as stated final sentence paragraph 4. US delegation convinced “free elections,” which Dutch interpret as election by population of leaders who would themselves decide on will of population, would be complete mockery this country. Dutch stated this point together with wording entire text would be submitted Hague by phone that night.
Dutch also apparently disgruntled at idea GOC may remain after Republic enters provisional federal government. Believe they interpret “interim” in paragraph 3 as period ending with signing political agreement. Long and indecisive argument this point.
Text principles as above approved by GOC hour later and will be taken Jogja.
GOC also approved Dutch suggestion re method submission principles to parties.
In connection with their written agreement to consider principles as basis further discussions, Dutch asked GOC whether it (1) prepared sponsor truce plan; (2) will consider political discussions will come to end without further ado if truce not observed and (3) will consider that if truce not observed Netherlands will not be prepared open discussions on new truce plan. GOC considered but took no final action these questions at meeting. Kirby stated he not prepared sponsor truce plan. Graham willing analyze situation for Republic indicating probable consequences their acceptance or rejection which will probably incline Republic to acceptance. Kirby, Graham and Van Zeeland willing any case state GOC approbation parties acceptance truce plan together with political principles.
After encipherment above, Vredenburch informed us Hague had accepted above text on provision Republic not enter interim government until political agreement signed, which appears reasonable.2 [Graham.]
- Joseph W. Scott, member of U.S. delegation to GOC.↩
- In telegram 37, January 11, 11 a. m. (91 from Graham), Batavia reported acceptance by the Dutch of the principles was not yet certain, and their final answer would be sent when received. “A Dutch commitment to try plebiscite is chief hope we have for selling truce to Republic”, explained Dr. Graham.↩