856d.00/12–1648: Telegram
The Chargé in the Netherlands (Steere) to the Secretary of State
priority
niact
859. In a brief talk with Stikker tonight I stated my impression that the American Government was in complete sympathy with the openly declared ties and objectives of the Netherlands Government in Indonesia, and went on to say that, given this identity of views, I personally, and other Americans, could not understand how there could be such apparent readiness on the part of many Dutch officials and statesmen to pursue a course in Indonesia that they knew and admitted would jeopardize Dutch interests and aims there, and possibly endanger even more vital objectives in Europe, when, it seemed to us, there was an alternative course open that avoided such jeopardy and would achieve peacefully and even more certainly the objectives they have in mind.
Stikker replied that three years fruitless experience trying to negotiate with Republic had destroyed all faith in possibility of any acceptable agreement for majority of Dutch people, and it was impossible send another ministerial delegation to Indonesia in these circumstances. Situation in Indonesia was deteriorating steadily and there was real danger of Cabinet falling here. Latter was still considering [Page 566] what to do, including question of Washington trip. He intimated clearly that there was much sentiment for strong course of action in Indonesia.
He asked direct question of whether US Government sided with Netherlands in regard to question of, (1) Unified command “armed forces and, (2) TNI. I said Cochran had indicated, and to Soekarno, that he sided with Netherlands in regard to these questions. (See Gocus 469.1)
Stikker called me 12:30 tonight and said above conversation had given him an opening in Cabinet meeting which he had used to “gain a little more time”. Cabinet had agreed to despatch of reply to Hatta letter which was in preparation and would go off tonight. He indicated urgent desire for Cochran assistance in handling matter at Batavia end and said he was ordering plane be ready in Batavia for emergency trip to Djocja. He emphasized that all speed is necessary in securing reply desired from Hatta, and repeated most earnestly “the time is extremely short”.
Sent Department niact 859; Department passed Batavia niact.