At Tuesday's meeting of the Committee of Good Offices Dubois and I
reported handing our plan [1] to Van Mook and Hatta respectively.

Herremans then read a personal letter from Van Mook noting that
Herremans had reserved his position regarding the plan and asking
for particulars. Herremans has replied that his reservations
referred to portions of the substance of the plan and the
procedure of its presentation. He also stated that he did not
consider the Committee as such could report to the Security
Council on the plan.

2. The plan has leaked to the press. Last night Schorr, an
American correspondent, filed a despatch to 'Time' Magazine.

Consequent report from The [Hague] [2] suggests this was based on
an interview with Dubois who denies it and I believe truthfully.

A.P. and A.F.S. [3] have also filed full particulars of our
proposals. [4]

3. A meeting of the Steering Committee was scheduled for this
morning but at the last minute the Dutch advised the Committee by
letter that in view of the publication of the plan the Netherlands
Delegation has requested further instructions from their
Government and that they wished to discontinue meetings for the
time being, except those concerned with the implementation of the
truce.

4. At noon today the Dutch issued a press statement that a plan
for an overall settlement had been presented by Dubois and me,
that the Netherlands Government was not prepared to consider the
plan and that reasons for this refusal would be released by Beel
tonight together with all correspondence since the presentation of
the Dutch aide-memoire to Hatta on Russian recognition (see my
telegram K.126 [5]). It now appears that as a result of our plan
the Dutch may precipitate a breakdown on talks even before the
elections. They will present our plan in as unfavourable light as
possible and may take the following position before the Security
Council-
(a) Stress the Republican failure to recognise the Netherlands
sovereignty.

(b) Justify their refusal to consider our plan by-
(1) Instancing the Republican 'unwillingness or inability' to
comply with the sovereignty obligations under two previous
agreements [6] and the consequent impossibility of negotiating a
third agreement.

(2) Stressing that Herremans objected to the plan.

(c) Stress urgency of a settlement with non-Republican Indonesians
and declare their intention of establishing a United States of
Indonesia without the Republic.

(d) Suggest dissolution of the Committee of Good Offices.

(e) Rely on the French veto against any move to keep Good Offices
Committee here or give it additional powers.

6. Hatta arrived at Batavia this morning for informal talks with
Van Mook. The
Republic has issued a press statement simultaneously with the
commencement of the talks that it will not agree to by-passing the
Committee of Good Offices.

7. This evening the Dutch press carries fierce attacks on Dubois
and myself.