740.0011 Pacific War/10: Telegram

The Consul General at Batavia (Foote) to the Secretary of State

Reference is made to my telegram of October 24, 2 p.m. Because of widely circulated erroneous reports concerning the oil negotiations in progress at Batavia and especially because of a Reuter despatch to the effect that the situation is something of a mystery in Washington “because of the lack of reliable information”, I wish to assure the Department that I am in constant touch with both Kay and the Netherland delegation, that all developments in the situation thus far have been reported and that I shall not fail to keep the Department informed of all future developments. The fact that the negotiations are proceeding so slowly as to be virtually in a state of suspended animation is apt to cause the circulation of further similar stories.

Foote