Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

In connection with our discussion yesterday [1] on steps which
might be taken by several countries, jointly or individually, for
the purpose of 'forcing' the Dutch to come to an immediate and
just solution of the Dutch-Indonesian issue, I should like to call
your attention to the following.
Among measures on the economic field-besides the closing of
aerodromes for Dutch aeroplanes-the refusal of harbour facilities
to Dutch ships means a considerable pressure on the Dutch. In case
of difficulties in closing the harbours, in connection with
international agreements, regulations as to the same effect can be
issued.
The Dutch, for instance, with the naval blockade around the
Republican territories, have for the same purpose declared several
materials as contraband with a very broad interpretation thereof.
It extends to material of an entirely non-military nature and
practically comes to allowing only foodstuff and a special kind of
textiles to pass their blockade.
Furthermore, in exercising the control, the Dutch examined the
ships, demanded not only the showing of manifests of lading, but
more thoroughly by forcing the ship's master to discharge the
whole cargo and to reload it again after examination.
Following are notations with regard to Dutch conception of
contraband:
1. It is generally proclaimed by the Dutch that their control on
imports to and exports from Republican territories is only
conducted with a view to check the imports of arms and ammunition
to Republican territories, and the export of estate produce from
Sumatra and Java.
2. In reality not only the import of military goods, but the
import of material for re-habilitation purposes as well is
prohibited. Military goods consist a.o. of under following items:
Arms ammunition of every kind and size, military vehicles as
trucks, jeeps, motor cycles, bicycles, spares, accessories and
even civilian vehicles, khaki uniforms and cloth, military and
ordinary boots, equipments for hospitals as beds, stretchers,
surgical instruments, (medicaments and instruments can only be
sent with the intermediacy of the International Red Cross). The
rehabilitation goods consist a.o. of under following items:
a. motor cars, tractors, steamrollers, spares and accessories.
b. machines, spares, accessories for existing factories, mills and
printing enterprises, asphalt, solar oil.
c. building material as corrugated roofs, cement, nails, wires,
electrical equipment etc. (very recently an insignificant quota of
such material is allowed through joint pressure of Singapore's
Economic Affairs Department, traders, and our Indonesia Office in
Singapore).
d. Printing material is very restrictedly allowed.
3. In praxis [sic] the import of food stuff and textiles and
luxury goods alone is free.
I have sent the above to Mr. Usman Sastroamidjojo, with the
request to submit it, after approval, to your Government.