Your telegram January 26th. My telegram 79. [1]

I have just seen Van Mook to whom I spoke on the lines of your
paragraph 4. The acting head of the Foreign Office, Doctor Boon,
was also present.

2. Van Mook listened in hostile silence to what I had to say. Then
he asked what was the object of the discussions, to which I
replied, the establishment of trade between Australia and Java. He
said it was strange that the first approach should be made orally.

With reference to the meeting of Indonesian representatives he
asked whether we proposed to do that through the Dutch, but
without awaiting a reply went on to say that direct contacts with
Indonesians 'gave them all sorts of ideas' and did a disservice to
the interests of all concerned. I replied that we did not want to
embarrass anybody but did want a movement of trade between
Australia and Java to be established and hoped that the three
parties concerned could arrange it between them.

3. He said such a mission as that proposed would be acceptable,
and even welcome, when current Indonesian-Dutch discussions had
reached a basis for trading but the present time was premature and
most inappropriate. I said that I understood you would be applying
to the Netherlands Legation for visas to travel next week and he
exclaimed angrily 'you put me in the presence of a fait accompli'.

4. With reference to the absence of publicity he said that he
agreed that no publicity was necessary but asked whether I had yet
seen the Indonesians. I said that I had not but intended to do so.

He then said that when I did it would be in the papers the same
night; that he had been their invariable experience.

5. He then returned to his objection to the arrival of the
officials now and said that he would 'deplore it'. The other
countries had held off and were holding off until a basis was
reached. If an Australian Mission came now they would have to
institute similar talks with the other countries and their own
discussions with the Indonesians would be confused and thrown out
of gear. He used the words 'chaos and confusion'.

6. Boon asked whether I would recommend that the arrival of the
officials should be delayed. I said that I did not suppose that he
expected a reply to that but that I should be certain to report
Van Mook's views fully and immediately.

7. I asked Van Mook when he thought his own discussions would
reach finality. He said that they had been held up by the absence
of Sjahrir and Gani, but he thought in about three or four weeks
but he could not be sure.

8. After leaving Van Mook I asked Boon how far he could help me in
arranging accommodation and transport in the circumstances as I
must proceed on the assumption of the arrival next week. It was
obvious that nothing could be done tonight and I am to see him
first thing tomorrow morning.