My telegram H.286 Saving. [1] Indonesia.

Indications that Dutch were pursuing delaying tactics in
negotiations over Cochran proposals [2] have given rise to anxiety
in many quarters that they were in fact not sincere in agreeing to
negotiate but were hoping to produce a situation in which they
might claim justification for police action against the Republic.

We have received warnings from our representatives in Batavia and
The Hague of talk of police action but so far have had no
indication that the Dutch Government had decided on this step.

2. In view of the critical situation which might arise, Mr. Bevin
spoke very seriously to the Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs in
Paris [3] and action has been taken at The Hague and in Batavia to
point out the disastrous consequences in all quarters which
renewed fighting begun by the Dutch would have. We have good
reason to believe that the Americans have taken a similar line.

3. A more encouraging feature has been the visit by Dutch Foreign
Minister to Djokjakarta in first week of November when we
understand he had frank and apparently friendly talks with Dr.

Hatta. At these talks it was agreed in principle that the Republic
would enter an interim Government in the near future [without] [4]
elections. The problem still remains however to discover a form of
Government that would be agreeable to both the Republicans and
Federalists. It was agreed that the Republic should put forward
their own ideas and Mr. Stikker's advisers remained at
Djokjakarta. to discuss these with Republicans. Much therefore
depends on the report the advisers bring back from the Republic.

It was further agreed that elections were impracticable at present
and the form of an interim Government should be settled by
December 1st. Mr. Stikker himself is not optimistic as to
developments after this date if no agreement has been reached.