856d.00/12–1748: Telegram
The Chargé in the Netherlands (Steere) to the Secretary of State 1
niact most immediate
[Received December 17—8:49 p. m.]
870. Lovink informed diplomatic representatives referred to Embtel 866, December 172 that accelerated deterioration conditions Indonesia had caused Dr. Beel to inform Republic in connection with submission of latest Netherlands Government communication (Embtel 860, December 16) that an answer must be received by 10 a. m. tomorrow, December 18, local time Batavia (3 a. m. Hague time). Lovink described events leading to this “shortening” of time as follows:
- 1.
- Increased infiltrations into Netherlands held territory of exceedingly well armed and organized bands with indications that intention is to step up violences later this month.
- 2.
- Troop concentrations and movements under guise of “maneuvers” immediately behind the status quo line which Netherlands authorities can only regard as ominous. Lovink said there are now 120,000 Republican troops in that position.
- 3.
- Official Republican broadcast Djocja radio Wednesday night had declared Hatta letter only his personal opinion;3 that Netherlands demands regarding powers HRC meant nothing less than return to old colonial regime under another name; that reduction of TNI must be accompanied by proportionate reduction Netherlands forces Indonesia.
- 4.
- Soekarno trip with so many ministers (Embtel 864, December 164) viewed with misgivings as an indication of instability of Republican Government and its inability to cope with responsibilities of government. Implication was that effect may be to open way for Tan Malakka and other anti-government elements to gain control or at least create increased confusion.
Dr. Beel, weighing all of these circumstances, which were attended, he had reported, with widespread and sweeping growth of all sorts of [Page 571] rumors, fears and apprehensions among the native population as to what might be about to happen, had felt impelled to bring matters to early final decision one way or another to avoid the risks of further delay.
Dutch cabinet will be meeting later tonight to take decision upon any answer that may be received before deadline or in event no answer is received.
Above information was given out in presence of Boon and Blom in an atmosphere which suggested that government felt caught up and rather helpless in current of events. Soekarno’s departure, which has not yet been actually confirmed here but is assumed fact, seems to have introduced unexpected and disturbing element in calculations.
Lovink asked me remain and after others had gone said Stikker wanted to see me. Stikker was both discouraged and agitated. He was obviously much concerned at advance of deadline after statement about “Sunday” referred to Embtel 864, December 16, and said he no longer could control situation. Beel, he said, had disregarded cabinet instructions and acting on his own judgment of situation, which he had every right to do in emergency as HRC, had advanced deadline to 10 a. m. tomorrow morning (Batavia). This was highly embarrassing to Hague, and particularly to him (Stikker) but Beel could not be “sacked” in circumstances. Stikker very much hoped that his efforts and position in matter would not be misunderstood as he had done his utmost to gain time and a settlement.
Minister of War informs MA that precautionary military measures have been taken Indonesia.
- Repeated in telegram 4857, December 17, 11 p. m., to Paris (for Jessup) and as 668 to Batavia.↩
- Telegram not printed; the representatives were British, French, Canadian, Belgian, and American.↩
- Telegram 871, December 17, 10 p. m., from The Hague, corrected this by adding that it was not found in the translated broadcast from Djocja (856d.00/12–1748).↩
- Not printed.↩