501.BC Indonesia/3–2549: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State
286. Gocus 637. Lacy1 arrived Batavia Tuesday morning; saw Schuurman in afternoon; met mixed Netherlands, Federal, Republican, US group Livengood reception; dined with US delegation and five local Republicans. We lunched with Cochran and senior American and Netherlands officials; afternoon called with Cochran on Beel with Schuurman present; attended reception by Indonesian friends; dinner by Schuurman with Spoor, Pincke,2 Van Hoogstraten,3 Hamid, Malik and leading Netherlands businessmen. Went Bangka Thursday a. m. with Cochran in UNCFI plane and visited Republican leaders Sukarno, Hatta, Hadji Salim, Ali Sastramidjojo, Roem and Pringgo Digdo. Cochran and Lacy to Singapore Thursday evening for final consultation that night.
In talks with Republicans Tuesday night Republicans stressed necessity restoration Jogja and growing danger leftist guerrillas and Tan Malakka. Lacy emphasized danger Communism, however labeled, and sharp cleavage throughout world between Communist and anti-Communist aggregations.
[Page 344]At Netherlands–American luncheon Lacy told Schuurman how serious Netherlands situation is and how relatively inflexible US position had become since SC resolution. Gieben told Cochran working on much material for Hague Conference and would be ready with Supomo to fit on negotiations where they ceased at Kaliurang under Stikker. Gieben believed progress could be achieved quickly. Also hoped Djuanda would participate at Hague.
When Lacy and Cochran received by Beel, Lacy repeated statement made Schuurman re seriousness Netherlands situation and American adherence to SC resolution, whatever its exegesis; compromise char acter January 28 resolution touched upon and essential difficulty of further compromise emphasized. Lacy explained how concerned US is over Netherlands situation with so many important international developments, Atlantic Pact, et cetera, and his hope Netherlands would move forward constructively soonest. Lacy told of US support for idea accelerated transfer sovereignty offer. Lacy supported Cochran’s contention that compliance with SC Resolution in [on?] Jogja immediately necessary. Both strongly favored Hague Conference but emphasized surmounting Jogja impasse requisite to Republican agreement thereto and to placing Republic in position essential to issuance effective cease-fire order. Cochran had told Netherlands seriousness Republican demands on Jogja after first visit Bangka. Federalists now backing Republicans on this point. Cochran and Lacy stressed need push forward while Beel emphasized difficulty for him carry out resolution. Both appreciated this but Lacy referred to SC and US condemnation police action and Congress and press tiring of US bleeding for Netherlands over Indonesia which US cannot indefinitely afford. Cochran stressed his efforts and confidence in getting Republicans properly lined up for Hague once Jogja agreed to. No promise came from Beel or Schuurman although reception US views serious and amiable.
At Schuurman dinner Van Hoogstraten said Jogja restoration impossible; hoped his government would never yield; Netherlands knew their problem and knew their solution right; worst had been passed in Indonesia and some improvement being recorded. Cochran said police action had been condemned and SC Resolution had required certain performances including restoration Jogja. Hoogstraten said military action correct and returning Republican Government Jogja would be like turning a state over to Hitler. Cochran said he was confusing parties in his comparison. Hoogstraten said Americans interfering. Cochran said US only one party to SC Resolution. Hoogstraten still blamed Americans; voiced defiance SC, saying even economic sanctions would not change Netherlands attitude.
[Page 345]Hoogstraten said Republican leaders should ask Netherlands Government spell out Beel plan and then go Hague without mentioning Jogja. Cochran said if Netherlands Government sincere they would adumbrate program without request. Cochran stressed need for stopping hostilities. Hoogstraten said old Republican leaders have lost out. Said Batavia Republicans would not return Jogja and presumed attribute such statement second-hand to Darmasetiawan. Cochran retorted he had talked Darmasetiawan and four other leading Republicans previous evening and had been impressed their fidelity Republican leaders and insistence on Jogja move. Cochran said UNCFI had sounded out Sultan and other leaders Jogja and had been informed restoration entirely feasible. Cochran admitted calculated risk in restoration but thought this must be taken. Hamid told Cochran in presence Netherlands officials thought restoration Republic to Jogja essential. Said Federalists and Republicans could get together easily with UNCFI helping and quick solution would be possible if Netherlands overcame inferiority complex and rectified past mistakes. Hamid said giving explanation to press on BFO Resolution March 3. This appeared Aneta March 24.
At Schuurman dinner Lacy spoke strongly to Spoor and Schuurman, recapitulating US view folly police action, serious position Netherlands in community of nations and importance to Netherlands of paying small price restoration Jogja to attain immediate objective Hague Conference.
Thursday forenoon at Bangka Cochran gave story UNCFI deputies’ visit Jogja and also of progress Lake Success on revision Canadian statement. Wednesday’s decision SC not known at Bangka during visit. When question of extent of territory to be restored arose, Cochran insisted on text SC resolution (i.e. Jogja and environs only) but with understanding progressive withdrawal might be achieved later. Lacy and Cochran argued against Republicans quibbling over chairmanship Hague Conference. Stressed importance changing venue to Hague with conference taking place in western capital with UNCFI present and embassies of world powers observing. Republicans endorsed heartily Lacy’s ideas that agreement on statute union should be voluntary.
In conversations with Republicans as with Netherlands officials Lacy stressed seriousness of Communist danger and need for unanimity in opposition thereto; thought workable and beneficial relationship between Republicans and Netherlands still attainable and absolutely essential as bridge between east and west. Lacy dilated grim results east-west split, tragic position Indonesia should it choose course inimical to policies democratic states rest of world which policies US prepared to effect strongest positive defense. Sukarno and company [Page 346] exhibited enthusiastic agreement these views and seemed acutely aware Communist danger in Indonesia and determined to cope therewith immediately and with strong measures as soon as in practical position. Sukarno angered by Communist attacks on him and Republican Government; impressed by decision Norway, which Lacy described, for whose socialist government has great respect.
Foregoing message prepared jointly by Lacy and Cochran Singapore night 24 Match. Cochran returned Batavia March 25, noon. Signed Cochran.