Office of the Historian

102. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Indonesia1

Washington, July 13, 1955—5:15 p.m.

153. Department appreciates considerations mentioned Djakarta’s 2554 The Hague 52 [62] June 20 [27]2 and is hopeful Indonesia Government now well aware American Government has no intention becoming involved facets Dutch trials such as visas for lawyers where intervention our part would have no basis any tenet law of nations and would therefore leave us open charges unneutral approach problem.

On other hand, because of fundamental humanitarian issues involved we would not wish either party dispute interpret US objectivity as constituting lack of interest or concern on our part. For this reason Department continuing follow progress trials closely.

Would appreciate further efforts obtain additional information veracity Dutch allegations denial consular access Baden and 3 others as reported Hague 27 repeated Djakarta 1.3

Department additionally most interested reaction individual Indos approached accordance penultimate paragraph Djakarta’s 36 to Department July 6 (pouched The Hague by Department)4 and wishes telegraphic summary all interchanges to date with detailed memos conversations air pouched.5 Please repeat copies all these The Hague, as well as all subsequent telegrams same subject urtel 36.

Dulles
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 656.56D13/7–655. Confidential. Drafted in EUR/WE and approved in FE; cleared in EUR and PSA. Repeated to The Hague.↩
  2. Telegram 2554 discussed whether a U.S. observer should attend the trial of Leon N. Jungschlager, one of the Dutch nationals on trial in Indonesia. Cumming reported that although sending an Embassy officer to the trial would gain nothing for the Dutch and would be regarded by the Indonesians as yielding to Dutch pressure, unless otherwise instructed he would send an officer to the trial when it resumed on July 30. (Ibid., 656.56D13/6–2755)↩
  3. Dated July 7, not printed. (Ibid., 656.56D13/7–755)↩
  4. Telegram 36 reads: “I continue to believe our best course, and one which may well help Dutch far more than affective approach, is to keep gently prodding individual Indos on matter in private conversations.” (Ibid., 656.56D13/7–655)↩
  5. Cumming reported in telegram 168 from Djakarta, July 18, that during his discussions with Indonesians on the trials he raised the question carefully to avoid giving the appearance of undue American interest or “interference” in the subject. Cumming concluded that “despite automatic Indonesian cries of outrage,” U.S. discussions with Indonesians and the presence of an Embassy officer at the trial were “slowly exerting pressure towards achievement desired goals of just treatment and speedier trials and that many Indonesians now beginning realize quick and fair action in their own best interest.” (Ibid., 656.56D13/7–1855)↩