Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Reference murder investigation. [1]
1. From investigations made so far I have been able to ascertain
the names of three Indonesians directly, and one indirectly,
involved. Sjahrir and his officers have been doing their best to
locate these men, but in disorganized state TRI [2] and Interior
have not yet been able to do so.
2. It appears from my investigations so far that the two Japanese
also involved did (repeat did) commit suicide, and I do not
(repeat not) consider this was arranged or instigated.
3. On Sjahrir's return from kidnapping [3] I paid him a visit to
offer felicitations on his escape, and he was so obviously anxious
for Australian goodwill that I am convinced he has been sincere in
his efforts to find and hand over culprits, and also that he will
continue to do so.
4. I could not convey accurately to anybody not in this country
how difficult it is to put one's hands on any particular
Indonesians in the interior. My personal opinion is that one TRI
officer concerned will be located soon, but he was not an actual
perpetrator. The other men were never under arrest in our sense of
the term, and I think they will take some running down. If I could
get into the interior with a couple of TRI officers I feel sure I
could get some order into their search, but here in Batavia we
cannot do much in that regard, and this includes Sjahrir and his
civil officers. Of course at present we cannot go beyond the
perimeter even with military escorts in strength.
5. However, Sjahrir has agreed to take any particular steps I
indicate, and was so despondent about the matter and Indonesian
repute in Australian eyes that I thought I would test him by
asking if he would be willing to offer a gratuitous but
substantial payment of compensation to the relatives of the
deceased officers without either awaiting the final result of the
investigations or slackening his efforts to locate the
perpetrators.
6. Sjahrir said he would only too gladly make such an offer if the
Australian Government would accept it, and expressed a wish that
if it did the money should go to the relatives in addition to any
moneys ordinarily payable by the Australian Government, but said
this was purely a personal desire and that this should be for the
Australian Government's decision. 7. Sjahrir left for the interior
this morning, but left a draft letter and authority for it to be
signed if I would receive it, and said he would gladly make any
amendments that would make it more acceptable to the Australian
Government.
8. The letter, in typical Indonesian English, is addressed to me
and reads:-

To His Honor judge Kirby,
Australian Mission,
Djakarta.

Acting on behalf and by order of Mr. Sutan Sjahrir, Prime Minister
of the Indonesian Government, I have the honour to inform you as
follows:
Mr. Sjahrir should like to express again his sincere regret and
that of the Indonesian Government with the murder of the three
Australian officers near Bogor.
He is still doing his utmost to get the Indonesians involved in
that murder captured. Conditions have grown so bad, however, that
it will cost much time before they will be seized.
Mr. Sjahrir should like to assure you that when the said persons
will be seized, the strongest measures will be taken against them,
and, if you desire, they will be delivered to the Allied Forces.
He begs for your kindness to forward this to your Government.
He begs you too to forward his condolence with the death of the
officers to the relations of the defunct.
Mr. Sjahrir should like to emphasize that the Indonesian
Government is most anxious to compensate the relations of the
deceased officers, and would be very happy if your Government
would accept on their behalf compensation from the Indonesian
Government. Mr. Sjahrir is anxious for you to understand that this
offer is made with a wish to atone so far as is humanly possible
and not in any manner to avoid or delay joint action with you in
bringing the criminals to proper justice.

I am,
Sir,
Yours sincerely,

9. No amount was mentioned but if the idea is acceptable to you I
had in mind one thousand pounds sterling or two thousand
Australian in each case as an appropriate amount.
10. For your consideration my opinion is that the offer is a
sincere one and worthy of acceptance, which would not, I think, in
any way lower Australia's dignity or her firm stand in this
matter.
11. Could I have instructions please, as if the offer is
acceptable details will have to be arranged, draft letter settled,
and amount and method of payment fixed. [4]