501.BC Indonesia/8–2049: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Baruch) to the Secretary of State
712. Hicus 8. Hicus 7.1 Visited Queen forenoon 19th. She expressed concern over infiltrations in Indonesia. Said report of 4-hour talk between Sultan and Lovink unsatisfactory. I gave assurances along line of talk with Stikker previous evening and urged patience during time required to untangle difficult military situation Indonesia. I praised work of Van Royen and hoped good atmosphere would continue pervade Hague negotiations.
Queen said gratified progress made on Indonesia question since I saw her in February; said Netherlands had nothing to hide from Indonesians; decision of government to transfer sovereignty could not be questioned; Netherlands bore Indonesians no enmity and was sure latter would bear Netherlands no enmity. I expressed optimism over relations of Netherlands with future USI if only RTC can move quickly to satisfactory conclusion in spirit of mutual trust. She said also confident of outcome, realizing that aims of both sides had really never been far apart. Queen said could not understand Australian policy. I ventured no explanation.
Large RTC committee met 2:30 p. m., 19th, and approved rules of procedure as drafted by our small committee (Hicus 7). Decided on provisional agenda for first plenary session RTC, 23 August, 2 p. m., to be presided by Prime Minister Drees. Will be addresses by Presidents of three delegations. I declined suggestion of Roem that all three UNCI members speak, preferring have Critchley who will be chairman speak alone for UNCI. My policy has purposely been [Page 474] during my present week of chairmanship to insure UNCI’S position in an RTC setup to afford square deal to all sides, but to refrain from pushing UNCI forward unnecessarily at time when Netherlands political circles and press would be quick condemn US for any aggressiveness or obvious attempt run RTC. Resultant reaction from Netherlands has been extremely cordial. Republics have been quite satisfied with what they have obtained and have expressed pleasure to me that Van Royen, Roem and I will apparently have same opportunity to work in close harmony here as we did in Java.
Attended reception given by Netherlands Prime Minister to RTC groups evening 19th. To Drees and numerous other members of government and Parliament with whom I renewed acquaintance I followed same line as with Queen and Stikker in trying calm their doubts over Indonesian observance cease hostilities orders. I did likewise when British Chargé telephoned to tell me how worried Netherlands were over Indonesian situation.
My reception here has been entirely friendly to date. I am quite satisfied with progress made this week in preparing for conference both in way of drafting rules of procedure and in getting leaders to working harmoniously together. I am confident settlement can be negotiated RTC if military situation Indonesia can be controlled. I feel it can be controlled if military strengthened and if concerted efforts made to keep cool heads. Signed Cochran.
Sent Department 712, repeated Batavia 34.