501.BC Indonesia/3–448: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
178. Gocus No. 168. In order discharge task given it by SCRes February 28,1 GOC as initial step yesterday presented parties with list of detailed questions on West Java Conference concerning origin, powers, composition, objectives, and results conference with purpose establishing degree to which formation West Java state would be representative desires population. In order avoid judging conference solely in terms academic standards of representation, list contained questions designed draw comparison between conference and similar bodies assembled in Java, including implication Republic territory. Questionnaire as whole fairly exhaustive.
In first GOC meeting on SCRes, AusDel wished GOC proceed immediately Bandoeng for investigation on spot. USDel opposed, and as compromise letter which was sent to parties March 1 informing them of GOC intention submit questionnaire also stated GOC considered desirable that questions and parties’ answers be submitted to conference for comments and that GOC wished attend conference in capacity observers when conference considering questionnaire.
Yesterday evening Riphagen called on Herremans2 as chairman week and stated Van Mook angered by suggested GOC action and held that any steps taken by GOC beyond direct consultations with parties would be outside scope good offices. Riphagen added that NethDel would reject by letter proposal that questionnaire and answers be submitted conference and that GOC visit conference. Herremans considers this another instance Dutch showing resentment of presence GOC but he and USDel agree that GOC proposal that questionnaire and answers be submitted to conference was unfortunate. USDel will discuss matter with Riphagen in effort find some way around difficulty and forestall official Dutch rejection of GOC letter of March 1, which we believe would lead to needless and unprofitable repercussions.
Department pass Hague.3