501.BC Indonesia/10–1448: Telegram

The Consul General at Batavia (Livengood) to the Secretary of State 1

secret
us urgent

913. Gocus 411. Schuurman received me October 14, 6 p. m. I told him of my intervention with Hatta toward delaying RepDel report to SC as reported Gocus 410.2 Schuurman handed me annexed NethDel reply to USDel plan. Reply consists of official letter 2359 dated October 14 accompanied by oral notes I and II, as originally submitted with initial covering letter of October 4 and enclosure consisting of underlined copy of USDel draft (Gocus 4023). Second part of reply consists of letter 2361 dated October 14 of personal character to me to which are attached annexes with respect to truce violations which also accompanied letter October 4.

I glanced through both covering letters briefly. I told Schuurman I would read them over more carefully this evening with my associates and we would get in touch with his assistants if we required any explanation. I said I would proceed Jogja tomorrow to deliver official letter and its enclosures to Hatta and await his reaction thereto. I hoped my presence might be helpful.

Without passing on substance of letters I told Schuurman they were obviously more easily handled than original communication and I thanked him for his help. I pointed out, however, chance of difficulty with numbered paragraph 5 of letter 2359 if Netherlands wished be unreasonable. He assured me Netherlands would be fair on this point. I promised do everything I could to achieve some progress thereunder.

With reference to paragraph 8 I noted that I was not requested, as I had been in original letter, to present copies of NethDel reply to RepDel and USDel. Schuurman said he preferred this be kept between NethDel, USDel and Republic until it had been established that negotiations [Page 419] will be resumed. Documents would then be filed with GOC. Referring final paragraph letter 2361 Schuurman agreed leave my discretion date of submitting annexes to GOC.

There follows text official letter 2539 [2359] addressed Cochran signed Schuurman:

[Here follows text printed in SC, 3rd yr., Suppl. (Dec), page 169.]

Signed Cochran.

Livengood
  1. Repeated in telegram Gadel 220, October 15, 6 p. m., to Paris (for Rusk and Bancroft).
  2. Telegram 911, October 14, not printed; it reported carrying out the Department’s instructions in telegram 497, October 12, p. 409.
  3. Telegrams 874–879, October 5, p. 384. Texts were transmitted in despatch 552, October 16, from Batavia, not printed; but see SC, 3rd yr., suppl. (Dec), p. 169.