501.BC Indonesia/3–149: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Baruch) to the Secretary of State 1
203. Initial Foreign Office reaction to statement by Mohammed Rum that Republicans will not attend proposed Hague conference is that the door is not firmly closed but that things “don’t look so good.” It is opinion of myself and other Embassy officers that Dutch proposals represent thorough-going and honest attempt to bring about solution Indonesian problem; see Stikker letter in Deptel 161, February 26.2 It must not be forgotten that they have been arrived at only through long and hard fought negotiations in four-party Cabinet. From our conversations with Stikker and other government officials it is evident that Dutch believe they have now offered a genuine constructive method of cutting the Gordian knot (Queen Juliana would not have left the country on holiday to Austria last week if she did not believe so). Dutch proposals constitute a victory for moderate elements in Cabinet and if conference or some agreement does not result repercussions here would be very bad, in government circles, in press and among public. Political crisis of first magnitude accompanied by collapse Dutch morale with unpredictable consequences would be distinct possibility.
Dutch, have never been sanguine that Republicans would accept invitation unless Cochran was himself convinced and able to persuade them that this was quickest and surest way to ultimate solution of entire Indonesian question. Although we do not hold that a solution is [Page 280] certain through conference, it does seem that Dutch suggestion presents real possibilities of ultimate and early settlement. Heretofore all negotiations have been held in poisoned atmosphere of Indonesia and transfer of negotiations to Hague would enable negotiations to proceed in more suitable atmosphere, with presence of UNCFI guaranteeing fair deal for both parties. Despite intransigence on Netherlands side in past, they at least have been willing to conduct negotiations in Indonesia, but, in present case, involving transfer of sovereignty, Netherlands desire to have negotiations here is understandable as it is Netherlands Government that is handing over sovereignty.
As indicated in our telegrams 193, February 25, and 198, February 28,3 we have been discussing with Foreign Office officials the idea of compromise re Djocja. We suggest that the time has come for some pressure to be applied on the Republicans to effect a compromise in order that The Hague conference not be cancelled or stultified by non-attendance of Republicans over a point which is fundamentally of lesser importance in overall effort to achieve Indonesian settlement. We have carefully reviewed all available reactions to date to invitations for Hague conference and believe situation has been created wherein Cochran’s recognized statesmanship and great influence should make possible solution of the Indonesian problem through Hague conference. We feel confident that he will use his skill and best efforts toward compromise by mutual concessions (note Brussels 285, February 28, re Dutch agreement establishment Republican government) so that best interests of western Europe as well as Asiatic situation might be served through only visible means at present time for Indonesian solution, namely round table conference.
Sent Department 203, repeated Brussels 15.