After our conversation [1] on Monday afternoon concerning the
Relief Supplies, I
felt that I had perhaps not made my position quite clear to you,
and that it might be of assistance to you for me to elaborate my
views on paper. I do this quite informally and as a personal
communication to you.

You pointed out that the arrangement we had agreed upon was for
the supplies (other than the textiles) to be distributed by the
Red Cross under the supervision of Lt. Col. Sullivan, and you
queried that I should now be assuming that this arrangement would
lapse and the goods be handed over direct to the Republic. My
reason for assuming this is that since our arrangement was merely
a measure to overcome the difficulties arising from the special
circumstances of the time, these circumstances having changed, the
difficulties no longer arise and our arrangement is no longer
necessary.

You will remember that the supplies for the Republic were shipped
following a conversation between Mr. Schuurman and Mr. Critchley
in which it was agreed that to avoid unnecessary delay the
supplies should be despatched as soon as possible, and that my
Government should in the meantime suggest an allocation as between
non-Republican and Republican areas; if the Government of
Indonesia was not able to agree to this allocation, it would be
subject to further negotiation, but supplies which were not in
dispute should be forwarded immediately to their destination.

However, it was not until the end of December that you informed me
that the suggested allocation was acceptable and by this time it
was no longer possible simply to forward the supplies which had
arrived, to their destination, since they were consigned to the
Republic (the supplies for non-Republican areas, as you know,
being held up by the shipping ban consequent upon the military
action). It was to meet this difficulty that you, in the first
place, were good enough to suggest that the supplies be
distributed by the Red Cross and that the arrangement regarding
Lt. Col. Sullivan was finally concluded. With the proposed
restoration of the Republican Government, it now appears to me
eminently proper, sensible and straight-forward that we should
revert to the original arrangement and hand the supplies over
direct to the Republican Government. Since no objection was raised
to this procedure prior to the military action other than the
provisional one concerning the allocation of the supplies, I
confess that I am at a loss to see that any matter of principle is
now involved which necessitates delay. But, however that might be,
with the present urgent calls for supplies of this nature, I think
you will agree that this is a matter wherein principle might well
give way to expediency with an easy conscience.

You also queried whether it was intended that the Republic arrange
a distribution in those territories under its control before 19th
December and if so, how was this now to be arranged. Since this
will be a matter for the Republic itself to determine, I can give
you no firm reply; but the Republic will no doubt be able to
arrange a distribution in those areas in which its administration
is recognized and should it wish to make a wider distribution, I
have assumed that it will be able to rely upon the co-operation of
the Government of Indonesia administration. It seems to me that
these details are primarily the concern of the Republic,
particularly its Ministry of Health, and there is no particular
call for us to discuss them. However, I might repeat that the
stores are limited in quantity and are mainly hospital supplies
which can be disposed of fairly readily.

There are also certain practical considerations which favour
reversion to the original arrangement and the delivery of the
supplies without further delay. I understand from the Red Cross
representative that his organisation cannot undertake to store the
goods, but if it is going to distribute them this will be
necessary, as they will first have to be unpacked and this cannot
be done in the K.J.C.P.L. godown. If the Republic takes over the
goods some unpacking in Batavia might still be necessary, for
example, to allocate a portion to Atjeh, but it can be minimised;

in any case, you will sympathise with my anxiety that the supplies
be formally received by the Republic in toto and in one piece, if
I may so express it, before unpacking commences. A second
consideration I already mentioned to you on Monday, namely that
Lt. Col. Sullivan has been seriously ill and will, I understand,
unfortunately be unable to act as supervisor for some time. This
means re-opening the question of supervision or waiting until Lt.

Col. Sullivan recovers-both alternatives involving still further
delay and, to raise an unpleasant point, adding to the mounting
costs of storage.

With regard to the question of the textiles, since this appears to
have become entangled in the general question of the relations
between the two parties, I can only hope that the present
development of an amicable atmosphere will allow of the clothing
also being distributed. Perhaps, with the Republic's present
request for supplies of clothing for its policemen, the
distribution of the textiles will even be welcomed. If it be
considered helpful, I am quite prepared to undertake to impress
upon the Republican authorities the views held by the Government
of Indonesia about these textiles and to secure an explicit
assurance that special care will be taken in their distribution.

I hope these comments are of use to you. I know you share my
desire for a quick and agreeable settlement of this matter. I feel
that such a settlement would help us in our work for amiable and
co-operative relations and could contribute to the arrangements
for the remaining supplies.