Reference my immediately preceding telegram 54. [1] I have just
returned from a weekend in the Ruhr and Limburg during which I was
in touch with Landale by telephone.

2. You have to appreciate that the Netherlands Government is
intensely jealous at the moment of any suggestion of diplomatic
relations with the Indonesian Government (vide my telegram 46 [2])
and so the approach to Sjahrir referred to in paragraph 2 of your
telegram 36 [3] was [certain] [4] to arouse both suspicion and
hostility.

3. In the second place, their own discussions with Indonesians on
economic matters are proceeding with the usual maddening
deliberation and so they are very fearful of outside intervention.

4. Thirdly I am sure that the Minister for Foreign Affairs
genuinely desires good relations with us and that was why he took
the initiative reported in my telegram 50. [5] I hope I will be
authorised to make a suitable reply.

5. A minor point is that the Dutch are incapable of quick action
and a request for visas at less than twenty-four hours' notice was
certain to create difficulty. Also De Ranitz['s] attitude reported
in paragraphs 1 and 2 of your telegram 37 [6] does not seem to
agree with reports he has sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
here.

6. I urge again as I did in paragraph 4 of my telegram 50 that
whenever possible we raise such matters informally here before
steps are taken which commit us to any course of action. I am sure
you will do everything to prevent the matter becoming public vide
paragraph 3 of your telegram 38. [7]