756D.00/8–3050: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Chapin) to the Secretary of State
334. This morning I had 15 minute talk with Spender, Australian Foreign Minister. He apologized for keeping me waiting quarter of hour as he felt it necessary permit Indonesian High Commissioner Roem explain in detail Indonesian position NNG.
Spender stated Indonesian position NNG entirely one prestige and claim based solely on fact NNG once administered as subdivision by Governor General Dutch East Indies. Spender said he pointed out that if Indonesians could bring forth any other basis for claim NNG founded on geographic, racial, linguistic, cultural or economic reasons, such claim would automatically extend itself to territory Australian mandate and to Papua. He said Roem, like all other Indonesians, could not answer this and could merely repeat statement that Indonesia as heir all Dutch possessions that area should obtain NNG. Spender felt Roem could see validity of Australian argument that Papuans of NNG were essentially same racial and cultural stock as those of east half island and in no way related to Malays of Indonesia. Spender said main Australian contention was that it would be crime against humanity arbitrarily to divide a people who in any case are just beginning grope toward civilization and who should be prepared through education and tutelage eventually take place in world as separate nation. (This apparently main Aussie surface argument.)
Spender stated it quite apparent to anyone that if Indonesian Republic should obtain control NNG it would use territory for surplus Indonesian population with result of driving out or extinguishing primitive Papuan population in same way as had happened American Indians.
Spender stated “I can say categorically that Australian public opinion will never permit Indonesian control over NNG either in form of transfer of sovereignty, joint trusteeship or condominium.” While he again referred to basic Australian argument above, he added he would not attempt disguise that Australia had vital security interest in territory—so vital in fact that Australians would use all means prevent it falling into Asian hands. He added that of course he hoped territory would remain Dutch possession but if for any reason, such as economic, Netherlands might wish at later time give up [Page 1060] territory, Australia would be willing undertake added burden of administering that territory.
When I pointed out recent strong Indonesian statements with regard NG and asked whether he saw any chance reasonable settlement, he replied he did see two ways in which matter might be settled. First, whole question might come before UN. He for one did not believe such procedure would necessarily bring about division along east-west lines and intimated he felt one or two east countries might be willing see validity Australian contention that on grounds humanity half of island should not go to Indonesia. He used at this point an expression of Stikker’s which he laughingly said Stikker had permitted him adopt as his own namely that NG was not geographic part of Asia but rather part of sub-continent of Australia. He also remarked at this point that Indonesia appeared wish commit same crime of Colonialism for which it had so long reproached Netherlands.
Second possible solution in Spender’s eyes would be if GB and US and possibly India, would use their good offices to press upon Indonesian Government the Australian argument and to tell Indonesian Government that it “already had more than it could eat on its plate and that they ought to be sensible and thankful for what they had already and try to digest it before they reached out for more”. Although Spender believed GB and US would prefer see NNG remain Dutch hands, they had never given support to Australia which alone had stated case frankly to Indonesian Government. He implied he was somewhat disappointed since he felt strong representations would be effective. As for Netherlands, he said he understood their position quite clearly and in view of RTC and continuing bitterness, Netherlands Government could not be expected make such representations in Indonesia.
Department pass Djakarta, Canberra. Sent Department 334; repeated info Djakarta 32, Canberra 3, London 71.