My telegram 1st October D. No. 1843. [1]

Java.

The Netherlands Ambassador and the Netherlands Minister for
Overseas Territories [2] recently discussed the situation in the
Netherlands East Indies with the Foreign Secretary.

2. The Ambassador said that Soekarno had for five years
collaborated with the Japanese, who had sponsored his movement and
were arming its supporters. It would be contrary to the wishes of
the Netherlands Government if the British authorities in any way
recognised or entered into relations with him. The Ambassador
hoped that the British political and military authorities would
refrain from statements which might serve to bolster up the morale
of Indonesian Quislings, and hoped that the strength of the
British forces in Java should be immediately increased, and the
despatch of the Netherlands troops to the Netherlands East Indies
accelerated. He asked that the S.A.C.S.E.A. should be instructed
(1) That British troops should take all possible measures to
maintain order and to disarm the supporters of Soekarno, and
(2) To do everything in his power to assist the restoration to the
Netherlands Government of their own territories.

3. The Foreign Secretary said that before giving any reply he must
first enquire into the facts, and promised without delay to look
into the possibility of overcoming shipping and manpower
difficulties.

4. The Netherlands Ambassador and the Minister for Overseas
Territories have been informed of S.A.C.S.E.A.'s instruction to
General Christison (my telegram under reference sub paragraph (e))
and their attention has been drawn to the Press report of the
proclamation by S.A.C.S.E.A. at the time of the first landing of
Allied Forces, stating that the policy of the Allies is to
maintain law and order until the lawful Government of the
Netherlands East Indies is once again functioning.

5. Meanwhile the Netherlands Government at the Hague have issued
an announcement stating-
(a) That representatives of the lawful authority cannot sit at the
Conference table with Soekarno, but
(b) That the policy of the Netherlands Government remains as
stated in 1942, namely, the complete partnership of the
Netherlands East Indies within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and
freedom of conduct regarding internal affairs.

6. S.A.C.S.E.A. has informed Dr. Van Mook (please see my telegram
under reference sub-paragraph (d)) that-
(a) His (S.A.C.S.E.A.'s) instructions to General Christison are to
hold firmly certain given areas in the Netherlands East Indies
through which Netherlands troops may, at the earliest possible
moment, be introduced to take over from the Japanese and-
(b) That he (S.A.C.S.E.A.) is also reminding the Japanese
Commanders that until they are disarmed and receive orders to the
contrary, he holds them responsible for dealing with the
resistance movement they have themselves fostered.

(c) It is understood that the Netherlands Government propose to
authorise Dr. Van Mook to issue a proclamation in Java in their
name. General Christison will provide Dr. Van Mook with all the
necessary facilities for its issue and distribution.