501.BC Indonesia/3–1049: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Baruch) to the Secretary of State 1
236. We find frequent evidence in Gocus telegrams of belief Netherlands Government not acting good faith in calling Hague conference and in its intentions at roundtable if conference should take place.
Naturally there are certain officials and numerous individuals Holland who would like see Indonesia kept as colony; however, we do not believe there is any real evidence lack of good faith in government’s [Page 310] intentions, or of animus of great majority Butch people against national aspirations Indonesians. Repeated public statements of policy by highest authorities of land, from Queen down, indicate Netherlands government does intend grant real independence Indonesia. Although many actions Netherlands Government and officials have been inept, at time perhaps unworthy of Netherlands, we feel calling of roundtable conference was genuine and forthright effort solve Indonesian problem by discarding approaches hitherto unsuccessful. Fact Netherlands Government objected to certain features SC resolution, which were abhorent to Dutch, and attempted to by-pass resolution by calling Hague conference do not speak for its bad faith vis-à-vis Indonesians. Furthermore, when judging Dutch intentions, it is necessary to have regard for Netherlands Government attitudes in Hague as well as Batavia as well as limitations imposed by coalition character present cabinet. Finally, we believe presence of UNCFI at conference is UN guarantee that rights of all parties will be protected.
Police action was started with approval most Netherlander, both public and private. Although solemnly warned of dire consequences, because of traditional policy neutrality since Napoleonic wars, Dutch people were startled at world wide reaction against police action. Jolt they received has been rude lesson in internationalism for Dutch, effect of which has been gradual awakening political parties and press to dangers of world estrangement and condemnation Netherlands.
Question return Djocja has been difficult and thorny. Netherlands Government has thought, and for good reasons, return would create chaos and disorder and unduly exaggerate Republican’s ambition for complete dominance ultimate government. Moreover, for considerable period Foreign Office officials told us they had documentation on republican leaders which if not actually incriminating was seriously damaging. Officials said they did not wish publish documents as would inflame Dutch people, aggravate general situation and make it even more difficult deal with Republican leaders in future. However, Stikker felt documents should be released to Ambassadors friendly governments to explain and justify reasons for Dutch reluctance on return Djocja. We do not consider this smear campaign (Gocus 6202), but as indicated Embtel 208, March 23 we do not believe it was timely to release this documentation because if it should leak out would seriously handicap roundtable conference. We express hope Department will not allow this untimely communication unduly to influence its opinion as to bona fide Netherlands Government re roundtable conference.