Lord Mountbatten informs me that he has referred to you the
question of the return to Java of some 700 Indonesians on the
MANOORA which left Sydney partly loaded on February 15th and will
complete loading at Brisbane February 18th and Mackay February
20th. The decision to return these persons was made with the full
agreement and actually at the strong desire of the Netherlands
Minister here who, we felt entitled to assume, reflected the
attitude of Dr. van Mook. it would now appear that the latter
wishes the movement delayed.

Advice of the projected movement was also given to the S.E.A.C.

Mission in Melbourne, who referred it to South East Asia Command.

In the absence of a reply we had assumed that no objection was
being raised.

I appreciate the delicacy of the task confronting you.

Nevertheless I find some difficulty in seeing how the arrival,
with Dutch and Indonesian consent, of a relatively small number of
Indonesians would give rise to any incident or otherwise embarrass
the discussions now taking place. indeed, in view of the
Indonesians' desire for repatriation, you may consider that
frustration of plans at this stage might well affect those
discussions to a far greater degree than if they were allowed to
proceed. Interruption of the movement would certainly create
embarrassment and difficulties in Australia.

In all the circumstances, I would strongly press for your
concurrence (and that of Dr. van Mook) in the MANOORA proceeding
as planned. An immediate reply would be greatly appreciated.