501.BC Indonesia/3–448: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
182. Gocus 169. Ourtel 168, March 4. Dubois and adviser at lunch today with Riphagen urged Dutch for own sakes not draft categorical rejection proposals in GOC letter of March 1. Riphagen quoted Van Mook as not opposed visits by individual GOC representatives Bandoeng but regarded GOC statement intention submit questionnaire and Netherlands replies to West Java conference as unacceptable reflection on NEI Government, implying replies would be dishonest or at least incomplete. We asked how Netherlands delegation considered GOC could discharge mission assigned it by SC February 28 Res. Riphagen replied he considered report containing information elicited by questionnaire would be ample, and since questions appeared calculated produce factual replies he did not see why important disparities should exist between Netherlands and Republic answers. Any event, he believed GOC should consider answers before committing self further action. We agreed GOC did not contemplate proceeding further before answers received and suggested Netherlands Delegation reply GOC March 1 letter by simply suggesting GOC await answers before raising question its further actions. Riphagen agreed endeavor persuade Van Mook this course, noting he growing accustomed role good officer between GOC and NEI Government.
In course lunch, we urged necessity earliest action by Netherlands Delegation to initiate political discussions, at least extent designating Netherlands representatives on political and economic committees, observing 6 weeks had passed since Renville Agreement, that position GOC becoming ridiculous, and that since GOC now under necessity reporting frequently to SC we should prefer report some progress.
Riphagen stated Vredenburch expected here March 7 and that he hoped discussions could begin very shortly thereafter, that meanwhile Netherlands Delegation would designate committee at least provisionally. He expected first area for settlement would be position Republic as Negara in interim period and again stressed necessity Republic liquidating attributes sovereignty. He also stressed Republic could not have different position in interim government from other Negaras , in this connection stating he hoped GOC would persuade Republic not expect continuation its services beyond Republic’s entry into government, that Netherlands could not take initiative this matter without appearing violate Renville principles. He also considered important Republic simultaneously accept plan for Netherlands-Indo Union, which he believed must have organizational structure unlike British [Page 114] Commonwealth and US-Philippine arrangements, and complained that no Indo groups appeared much concerned by form of union.
We suggested strength union would lie in common need for each other on part Netherlands and Indonesia rather than in formal organization, but Riphagen stated unequivocal acceptance by Republic of organizational arrangements would be necessary if Republic not to raise objections later.
Dubois took occasion inform Riphagen Neher had told him Van Mook had invited Hatta come here for talk.
Department repeat Hague.1
- This was done the same day.↩