501.BC Indonesia/10–1348: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Baruch) to the Secretary of State
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697. Foreign Minister left Cabinet meeting to receive me immediately arrival Deptel 514, October 12, having already received cable from Washington. I impressed on Foreign Minister as strongly as possible instructions contained in paragraph a, contents paragraphs b and c and urged that time was of the essence, repeating insistently that they should not delay resumption negotiations by a purely procedural matter. Minister replied that Cochran’s memo to Schuurman dated October 10 had been received here Monday 3 p. m. and Cabinet meeting held to discuss same, that a reply thereto containing certain amendments to Cochran’s suggestions had been despatched to Batavia for transmittal to Cochran subject to Batavia’s agreement; that immediately upon Batavia’s agreement they could be transmitted to Cochran, to Van Kleffens and to me. (Reply to Batavia made prior receipt news that Palar had taken SC action. Stikker made quite a point of this chronological order.)
He stressed again the fact that they could not consider this matter entirely procedural because both from his Embassy in Washington and from me and again this morning he had heard repeatedly that if the matter were brought before SC and the Cochran plan were discussed, our delegates would support Cochran plan in its entirety. This [Page 416] he opined brought their proposals out of the class of procedure and made it important for them to make the proposals to Cochran which they have made through Batavia.
In reply to this, I made full use and emphasis of your comments beginning “Foreign Minister may protest” and ending “trade regulations, et cetera” which immediately follow your instructions to me.
It is evident to me that Netherlands Government knows the course outlined by US Government is the only one open to them but they are stubbornly insistent on the form rather than substance which is as incomprehensible to me as it is to Department. Personally, I cannot but feel that they do understand and appreciate our position and that personally Stikker is doing his utmost to bring his Government’s position in accord with ours.
I am beginning to feel, however, that their apparent success in the Bandoeng negotiations may have gone to their heads a little and colored their attitude towards this whole discussion in spite of the conciliatory and reasonable attitude of our GOC member.
Sent Department; Department pass Batavia.1
- This was done the same day.↩