856d.01/12–2749: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Chapin) to the Secretary of State
1302. Sent Department 1302, repeated Batavia 147. Department pass Batavia.1 Transfer of sovereignty ceremony took place 10 a. m. today, Royal Palace, Amsterdam, and was both solemn and moving. Queen’s address, which Stikker informed me written by herself, very human in its appeal to two countries to forget past differences, accept solution and strive earnestly “to cooperate loyally in the new system”. After stating readiness of Netherlands “to render assistance as soon as and when Indonesia should ask for it,” address concluded with these extraordinary words: “It is a privilege to perform this act of transfer as it stands in history, or rather in the face of God, who knows why this march hand-in-hand in freedom was not achieved sooner nor later, and who knows the feelings of generations, but who also watches whether we can use this plan for the progress of mankind. May this now be so”.
Following conclusion of ceremony I proceeded with Canadian and Indian Ambassadors to informal reception at Groote Club, where my colleagues delivered formal written messages of congratulation to Prime Ministers of Netherlands and Indonesia, and the British Ambassador [Page 589] presented note to Hatta formally recognizing Indonesian Government. I, therefore, took occasion to present orally to both Prime Ministers the message contained in Department’s 1171 of December 22, 5 p. m.2
I presume formal recognition being extended to Indonesia directly through our representative in Batavia.