DUTCH EAST INDIES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 117, 16 April 1940, Page 8

DUTCH EAST INDIES.

JA PAXESE STATEMENT. XO TAKING INITIATIVE. Received April 16, 11.40 a.in. TOKIO, April 15. The Foreign Minister (Mr H. Arita) lias made a statement that is interpreted to mean that Japan will at present make no move in the Netherlands East' Indies if other Rowers refrain from doing so. According to well-in-formed sources the Japanese Government is warning belligerents that it will take counter measures in the event of an extension of the European war to the Pacific. Mr Arita told the Japanese Press that Japan cannot but be deeply concerned about any development accompanying the aggravation of the European war affecting the status quo in the Netherlands East Indies. Should an extension of the war to the Netherlands produce repercussions in the Netherlands East Indies it would interfere with Japan's economic relations with that quarter and arouse an undesirable situation regarding the peace and stability of East Asia. The Amsterdam correspondent of the Times (states a London message) says that the Hutch regard the discussions in the United States and Japan about the fate of the East Indies as premature and misplaced. Commentators point out that identical policies are followed in Holland and the East Indies and for that reason the Government would consider an attempt to provide unrequired, unrequested protection as an act of hostility necessitating counter measures.