501.BC Indonesia/3–1049: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Netherlands (Baruch) to the Secretary of State 1
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237. Lovink and Boon in early afternoon, Stikker late afternoon and evening, have stressed repeatedly imperative need of obtaining some assurance on US attitude toward points set out Stikker letter March 8 to Bevin, if Netherlands Cabinet were to be induced to agree on “return to Djogja”. Stikker expressed confidence he could secure Cabinet agreement, if he could offer some tangible basis for reversal previous unbending stand, and above all if Dutch military sensibilities and national pride were not inflamed by return of TNI to Djogja.
Stikker seemed gratified by our statements re US attitude round-table conference (Deptel 193, March 72) and that it “was not US intention to encourage Republicans to make unreasonable demands”, yet said, at end final talk, that he still felt necessity ask for US statement attitude toward proposals contained his letter to Bevin March 8, which Dept has doubtless seen. He stated that if Dept could see its way clear to endorse these proposals (Bevin’s general approval of which Dutch regarded adequate) as basis for compromise Djogja issue, he would at once secure cabinet agreement, and would immediately be able to instruct Van Royen to accept, for Holland, a proposal which he understood McNaughton is ready to offer, or SC to instruct UNCFI to call conference Batavia of Republicans, Federalists and [Page 315] Netherlands for purpose only of solving difficulties standing in way of realization RTC plan, including return to Djogja.
Stikker was not satisfied with our statement re TNI, namely, that “US had taken no attitude in question” and considered it matter for local agreement; said he could not therefore instruct Van Royen to agree now to McNaughton proposal, if made (as we advised by telephone he would), but rather to state that he must submit it for consideration his government. Van Royen, therefore, would make opening statement reiterating Dutch stand but leaving door open for proposals. Nichols,3 who was present this conference, agreed on Dutch suggestion to recommend his government that Cadogan, after McNaughton proposal, should reserve British attitude to make position easier for Netherlands.
Stikker ended conference with final appeal US to assist as suggested above. This, he said, as final push that would get things off dead center.