856E.00/7–3046: Telegram
The Consul General at Batavia (Foote) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 31—12:53 p.m.]
318. Following is first of three telegrams3 re talk with Van Mook last night:
He expressed satisfaction over Malino Conference “where native delegates showed understanding and common sense” and added hope “the small clique at Djokjakarta will be equally reasonable” thereby ending the trouble. He emphasized that delegates were free to criticise and not hampered, even holding secret meetings with no Dutch present. Only restraint by Van Mook was to prevent delegates passing resolution on floor of conference censuring Indonesian Vice President Mohammad Hatta who said conference was held at point of bayonet. Four Indonesian journalists from Soekarno regime were present and spread propaganda leaflets among delegates who resented their action. At end of conference they visited Van Mook and said conference was clean and not what they expected but that they not permitted publish [Page 840] facts thereof. Van Mook said resolutions adopted (mytels 311, 312 and 3144) could be extended to Java and Sumatra in broad liberal helpful way to bring era of Dutch-Indonesian cooperation with peace, prosperity and progress, but whatever offered Soekarno and Sjahrir is countered by demands for twice as much. This is no doubt true when British encourage Sjahrir stand pat or increase demands which been done in past. He added much trouble caused and agrees it delayed when British treat Sjahrir and Soekarno regime as equal of Netherlands Government and sometimes above Van Mook. Am convinced this partly true since Sjahrir usually surrounded by shrewd types British officers who do not hesitate offer their opinions. Sjahrir told me he growing tired of it and wanted long rest interior of Java.
Van Mook said he had no objections to any resolutions adopted at Malino, that he read and approved them before introduction on floor of conference for vote, that he ready extend principles of resolutions to all Netherlands East Indies if only there were dependable persons with whom he could negotiate, whose word could be accepted at face value and who could implement any agreement reached. He added that at moment the Indonesians do not appear have any such person or persons.