Van Mook gave Sjahrir the Dutch modified proposals which are
described as a protocol.

2. Van Mook has not informed any of the British authorities what
is contained in the protocol. He gave rather a frank, off the
record, talk to the press beforehand about this. Jenkins of the
Argus is keeping me fully informed about such matters. For example
at the press conference Van Mook said that he would propose to
Sjahrir that a joint Dutch-Indonesian operation should be
conducted to re-establish law and order in Sumatra.

3. A British officer saw Sjahrir after the meeting and was shown
the protocol. The protocol was revised in medieval Dutch
legalistic language. There are very few supported statements in
the modified form and much talk about the holding of an Imperial
Conference at a date unspecified, the purpose of this Conference
being to discuss with the de facto Government of Java and
representatives (nominated by the Dutch) of outer island
possessions framework of the contemplated set up of the
Netherlands Empire. The British officer had to read the document
in a hurry and found it very vague. Sjahrir's comment was that the
protocol offered the Indonesians 40% less than agreed upon at the
negotiations under Inverchapel's direction. [1] He said that the
wording of the protocol would make it very difficult for him
although he desired agreement, and stressed how often the phrase
'Holland's historical ties with the Indonesians' featured in it.

The use of the word 'tie' in the present circumstances he said is
unfortunate. Further, exclusion of mention of the President of the
Republic made his own position more difficult.

4. Sjahrir left for the interior this morning and is not sure
whether he will return or if he returns whether he will remain
long. He has promised to inform the British beforehand what he
proposes to do.

5. The Indonesians believe one of the first steps of an
independent British Indian Government will be the recognition of
their Republic. All believe that Pandit Nehru will be appointed
Foreign Secretary.

6. In the light of the above, I respectfully suggest that the
Australian Government might consider very seriously what the
Government of India's attitude to the problem of the Indonesians
is going to be and, therefore, might weigh up the pros and cons of
taking constructive action first.

I refer you to paragraph 3 of my telegram 94 [2] and to the
inconclusive results of the Dutch elections.