856E.01/5–2947: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Baruch) to the Secretary of State
345. Foreign Minister this afternoon handed me a note which Government of The Netherlands is addressing to the Republic of Indonesia containing demands which require an answer within 2 weeks. A summary of translation of note, which has two annexes which will be made public today, follows shortly.97 Minister restated the fact that when Beel and Jonkman arrived they found atmosphere in Republican circles entirely adverse to possibility conclusion of any agreement in implementation of Linggadjati and after repeated futile effort they determined to return, as Department already informed.
The note lays down basis which Netherlands Government deems irreducible minimum for cooperation but Dutch Government seems convinced public [republic?] not interested in federation or formation of United States of Indonesia but only desires promote selfish interest [Page 935] of republic but as government here desires make one more effort this note has been addressed to Republican Government. It is my opinion very little result is anticipated here. They state they must formulate such action as may be necessary when either an answer or lack of answer is made to this note and its two annexes.
Sent Department as 345, repeated London as 23.
- A summary of the translation of the note as released to the press on May 29 was reported in telegram 348, May 29, from The Hague, and repeated by the Department in its telegram 146, June 3, to Batavia, neither printed. On June 2 Batavia reported on the note (which consisted of a covering memorandum and five annexes) in telegrams 202–205, none printed.↩