856E.00/7–1746: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Foote) to the Secretary of State
rush
[Received July 18—10:10 a.m.]
301. Deptel July 11, 1 p.m.97 re negotiations. In re following comments please refer my telegrams 47, February 9, 105 March 22, 113 March 27, 114 March 28, 122 April 1, 123 April 4, 227 May 27 and 252 June 18.98
Feelings British FonOff as express[ed] to Harriman99 that both Dutch and Indos at fault for having departed from original positions is not understood. Dutch statement February 10 covered broad policy as basis for talks. Sjahrir then called for Indo Republic’s sovereignty over all NEI.
On March 26 Van Mook gave Sjahrir draft of proposed agreement recognizing Indo Republic with de facto authority over Java. Sjahrir countered by calling for recognition of Indo Republic with de facto authority over Java and Sumatra. Neither of these were [Page 837] communicated to Hague until Van Mook took them personally in company with Lord Inverchapel.
Inverchapel, Van Mook and Indo Delegates left Batavia April 4 for Hague. On that date Dutch and Indos were no nearer agreement than they are now. After Van Mook’s return from Hague he gave to Sjahrir Netherlands offer which is now before Indos. Sjahrir again countered with demands for recognition of republic with de facto authority over Java and Sumatra.
When Inverchapel left Batavia he apparently felt his mission was success since he told me Dutch and Indos were in agreement on most points but others needed further discussing. Van Mook made same statement to me. Inverchapel probably did not attach sufficient importance to matter of future of Sumatra which is the chief stumbling block. Soon after Inverchapel’s departure my talks with Sjahrir convinced me Inverchapel’s mission was successful in only very small degree. He probably considered talks as negotiations when they were only exploratory. Various offers and counter offers were merely progress reports which Inverchapel thought he could consummate once he had Dutch and Indos at London, Hague or both.
In brief neither side has departed from original position nor have they grown further apart. Main stumbling block has been and is future of Sumatra.
In re Sjahrir’s latest counter proposals see penultimate paragraph my telegram 270, June 26.1 In view of above feelings of British FonOff expressed to Harriman appear unjustifiable or based on misconception.
Am convinced sending Netherlands Cabinet Mission along lines British Mission to India would be mistake. It would not inspire more confidence among Indos than does Van Mook whom Indos regard as their best friend, it would merely cause them lose confidence in him and harden attitude or increase their demands, thereby driving date of agreement farther into future.