MOST IMMEDIATE

I was grateful for your telegram 86 in reply to my 171 [1]
regarding the movement of Dutch troops and equipment on the
Manoora.

2. The information contained in your telegram was most helpful to
me in my farewell conversation with Sjahrir in which as far as the
ship's movements were concerned, I contented myself with informing
him that neither the Manoora, nor any other Australian ship was
carrying Dutch troops or equipment to any port in Java.

3. In general conversation I gave him the substance of your
remarks on Australian policy as set out in your paragraph Six [2]
and in particular stressed the fact that Indonesian leaders
genuinely desire and spare no efforts to achieve a settlement by
peaceful means. May I be forgiven for adding that the arranging of
ports of destination outside Java in the difficult circumstances
obtaining shows, in my opinion, a very real and practical
appreciation of the local situation and has adroitly avoided what
might have been an awkward situation.

4. Sjahrir was most cordial and obviously remains most anxious for
a continuance of Australian sympathy. He told me that he had heard
from a local Dutch broadcast that the Manoora was bringing troops
and equipment to Batavia, and my intimation that this was not so
more than countered any awkwardness caused by the original Dutch
announcement. He said in particular he had feared local riots in
Batavia had the Manoora brought Dutch troops and equipment there.

5. The general atmosphere in Java has deteriorated in the last few
days. Sjarifoeddin presented Mansergh with a written protest at
seven alleged breaches by the Dutch or British of the spirit and
letter of Djokjarta agreement of 2nd April 1946 and threatening
'to suspend further evacuation of Allied internees' failing
receipt of a written undertaking that no further violations will
occur and that disciplinary actions will be taken against
offenders.

6. Mansergh has replied in writing in a sort of argumentative
travesty but one cannot [but] feel that in some instances
particularly the Dutch bombardment of the rice port of
Barjoewangi, the Indonesian protest is justified.

7. Further evacuation of internees has been suspended but I
understand from Mackereth that this is not as important as it at
first appeared, owing to the fact that all known APWI imprisoned
by Japanese have been evacuated, thus satisfying British
obligation in this respect, and that only those imprisoned or
interned by the Indonesians themselves remain. In fact, it would
appear that the Indonesians were very glad to get rid of these
people at the R.A.F.'s expense.

8. I am leaving Singapore for Sydney on 30th. I have seen Ballard
who arrived in Singapore to-day. I would like to elaborate, on my
return, my personal and very confidential opinion that Foreign
Office policy is sometimes hampered by Mansergh and his Brigadier
General of staff, Waier [3], who claim in any subsequent
discussion with Mackereth that their actions were justified by
military necessity. I must add that this does not come from
Mackereth, but from my own observation only, and that he has, I
should think, no idea that I have this opinion.

9. I am also bringing down more detailed report on Malino,
conference resolutions previously telegraphed by me.

10. At the time of my departure from Batavia on July 28th, the
position in regard to the re-arrest of suspects was still obscure
and that Bogor, where some were thought to be, has once again
become an area of active fighting.