501.BC Indonesia/2–1348: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
132. From Gocus No. 144. Riphagen called this morning to state that in view statements made by GOC (minus Van Zeeland) in February 12 press conference Lake Success, as reported today’s Aneta, Vredenburch would not attend Steering Committee meeting scheduled this morning and saw absolutely no point, under circumstances, proceeding with political discussions. Riphagen stressed that Netherlands Delegate regarded press conference as very serious development and “much worse” than Kaliurang in that statements were made to press. He quoted Vredenburch as viewing whole interview as “fantastic” but called attention, as particularly objectionable, to statements that:
- (1)
- The committee’s “observing” of the plebiscite might well lead “supervision”.
- (2)
- Committee is forced also take up contact with autonomous parts future USI outside Java, Madura, Sumatra and Fortzemal [sic] so must be GOC;
- (3)
- Question whether these autonomous parts to be regarded as “puppet govts” will be answered by plebiscite;
- (4)
- Plebiscite cannot be withheld from population such territories if they request;
- (5)
- 90 percent population present Republic territory could be expected vote for Republic;
- (6)
- It could be expected SC would request GOC continue its works until USI formed.
Riphagen was obviously in upset state mind and admitted he did not know what to expect as result press conference. We of course made no comment and stated we could only inform Dept of Netherlands Delegates’ views. He said that “strongest terms” would be justified.
Dept pass The Hague.1
- Repeated on February 13 to The Hague. In subsequent telegrams from Batavia and The Hague, it was recognized that off-the-record press remarks had been inaccurately reported to Batavia. (501.BC Indonesia/2–1448)↩