Ministerial Despatch 9/1947

SECRET BATAVIA, 19 November 1947

I have the honour to state that the main interest in diplomatic
circles in Batavia is still confined to the progress of the
Committee of Three. The general reaction is that negotiations are
very slow and that unless something spectacular develops at an
early date the Committee of Three will fizzle out.

I fully realise, however, that the problem is highly complex and
that the procrastinating tactics of the Dutch authorities preclude
speedy progress and necessitate each step being fully considered
in order to obviate a false move.

There is considerable comment regarding the early return of Van
Zeeland to Belgium [2], and the trend of thought is that, as he
cannot agree with the other two members of the Committee of Three,
he is effecting a graceful withdrawal.

The statement of our Prime Minister that it was hoped the work of
the Committee of Three would be concluded at the end of November
has caused apprehension, particularly in high Republican circles,
because of the possible withdrawal of Kirby. [3] I feel that the
Dutch authorities regard as impossible negotiations with the
Republicans without outside influence and that they regard the
chances of successful negotiations, with the assistance of the
Committee of Three, as remote. I am of the opinion that the Dutch
generally consider that the only solution of the problem is by the
use of force, and that a considerable section advocates such
action notwithstanding the shattering repercussions which would
remove all confidence in the United Nations Organisation from the
Eastern world.

There is a strong opinion in diplomatic circles that the mind of
the Lieutenant Governor-General (Dr. van Mook) is entirely closed
regarding future dealings with the Republicans.

Reliable information has been received that for some time past the
Dutch have been prepared, at short notice, to advance to
Djokjakarta. Instructions in this regard have now been cancelled;

it is thought by direction from The Hague.

2. The Committee of Three has not called again upon the assistance
of the Consular Commission although United States, Australian and
Belgian Military Observers are being employed on a Sub-Committee
which is handling the military aspects to implement the Security
Council resolution dated 1st November 1947.

The position regarding our representation on the Consular
Commission after 31st December 1947 (when Australia is no longer a
Member of the Security Council) is worthy of consideration. I am
of the opinion that a Consular Commission without Australian
representation would, except for the British representation, be of
no real support to the Republican cause. It would therefore be
advantageous for the Commission, as at present constituted, to
remain in [existence] [4] until the completion of the task of the
Committee of Three. In the above connection, objections can also
be envisaged from the Dutch against Australian representation on
the Committee of Three after 31st December 1947.

3. The Dutch attitude regarding the repatriation of six
Republicans from Australia to Djokjakarta, as arranged between the
Australian authorities and the Dutch Legation in Canberra [5], has
been extraordinary. When information on this subject was first
received by cablegram from Canberra, I interviewed personally
Schuurman (Head of the Far Eastern Office) who informed me that he
knew I was fully aware of his endeavours to help in such matters
and that, although a delicate subject, he did not anticipate
difficulties, but requested the names of the Republicans
concerned, which at that time were not in my possession. Having
obtained and conveyed to Schuurman the names, he informed me that
there would be difficulties and that when the R.A.A.F. aircraft
landed at Sourabaya from Darwin normal landing routine would be
necessary and permission for the onward flight to Djokjakarta
could not be guaranteed until after examination by the Immigration
authorities.

The R.A.A.F. aircraft arrived at Sourabaya on 12th November and
immediately after landing, the repatriates, with their luggage,
were taken from the custody of the Captain of the aircraft by the
Netherlands East Indies authorities, the aircraft was placed under
guard and the crew excluded.

In accordance with advice from our Department a formal protest was
lodged. [6] No further developments took place until 17th November
1947, when Schuurman, in an apologetic manner, stated that a
mistake had been made due to the Dutch Legation at Canberra
furnishing our Department there with incorrect information and
supplying faulty papers to the Republicans. He further stated that
he would immediately arrange for an aircraft to convey them to
Batavia where hotel accommodation at the expense of the
Netherlands authorities would be made available, that their papers
would be put in order and that they could be transported by air to
Djokjakarta as soon as convenient to us.

It is now intended that the repatriates should be taken to
Djokjakarta on Saturday 22nd November. [7]