Telegram from Herman Benjamin Baruch to Secrertary of State George C. Marshall

INCOMING TELEGRAM DEPARTMENT OF STATE-DIVISION OF COMMUNICATIONS AND RECORDS TELEGRAPH BRANCH 1-D a Action: EUR Info: Control 5565 SS c Rec'd November 16, 1948 FE 9:37 p.m. L UNA OLI FROM The Hague CIA RECORDS AAN SERVICE" TO: Secretary of State DCR BOVES NO: NIACT 785, November 16, 9 p.m. Stikker called at my residence tonight and told me in greatest confidence he had battle of his life on his hands, but was gaining ground; that he was hopeful and that Drees and Oud saw eye to eye with him. However, Catholic Party rightists and army were opposing his effort for peaceful settlement and he needs help. Stikker stated that his exploratory talks with Hatta had produced basis for agreement on many points in near future, and possibilities in his opinion were greater now than they had been for long time. He emphasized importance of con- tinuing talks and their conclusion at earliest. He said that results were obtained largely by Cochran's help and his own new direct approach to Hatta and other Republic leaders. He appreciated United States desire to reach solution by negotiation, and he personally appealed now strongly for US support to induce Republic to meet Netherlands wishes on two following points: (1) Integration of Republic Army into federal forces; (2) Unified command. On first point Stikirer emphasized fact that Hatta had suggested in a personal letter to him that there were psychological reasons making it difficult to disband Republic forces. Netherlands Government said Stikker fully realizes this. Hatta apparently desires to have Republic forces gradually amalgamated into federal. It is impossible, said Stikker, to join together in one army forces which have been opposed and fighting for a considerable time or to create Tederal forces on a sound basis by incorporating therein units which have been opposed to a federal conception and a peaceful solution of the problem. Netherlands Government is agreeable to a gradual process being followed in this respect DECLASSIFIED E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and S(D) or (E) and Hatta ) p of State letter, Aug. 9, 1973 N T MC , NARS Date 9-10-76 INFORMATION COPY