DUTCH EAST INDIES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 139, 13 May 1940, Page 8

DUTCH EAST INDIES

STATUS QUO PROMISED. BRITAIN, AMERICA AND JAPAN. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.-—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received May 14, 10.55' a.m. RUGBY, May 13. The British Government has previously expressed interest in the maintenance of the status quo in the Netherlands East Indies. This attitude, it may be stated, remains unchanged. The British Government lias no intention whatever of intervening in the East Indies, nor has any suggestion been made from any quarter that it should do so. A Washington Press Association message states: The Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) has reiterated that the United States is vitally interested in the maintenance of the status quo of the Dutch East Indies, adding that any change would be prejudicial to the stability and peace of the entire Pacific area. Mr Hull’s statement followed tho general lines of that of April 17. It was made in response to queries regarding the status of the islands and Press dispatches from Tokio saying that the Japanese Foreign Minister (Mi* Arita) had expressed to diplomats a similar interest by Japan. Mr Hull said: “I have had no full report concerning the matter referred to in the Press dispatches from Tokio. A number of governments in recent weeks, including those of England, Japan and the United States, have made clear, official and public utterances expressing their attitude and continued respect for the status quo. . . . This is in harmony with definite commitments formally made in writing in 1922. Tlie United States assumes that each Government will continue to abide by them. An expression of intention to respect the status quo of the East Indies cannot too often be reiterated.” TOKIO ASSURANCE.

A Tokio message says that tho Japanese Government has announced that all the Powers concerned have been notified that Japan will insist on maintenance of the status quo of the Netherlands East Indies. A Netherlands official in a statement said that the Japanese trade with the East Indies, including rubber and oil, may increase as a result of the war, and tlie Netherlands sales to the Soviet may he reduced for fear that the products would eventually reach Germany. The legation empliaised that the Dutch Possessions in the East Indies are not affected, adding that Holland has waived any offer of protection by any foreign Power, being fully prepared to uphold the independence of her overseas territories regardless of the conditions in the mother country. The Japanese public are calm and not surprised at the invasion of the Low Countries, having fully anticipated it since Mr Arita’s declaration regarding maintain" the status quo of the Dutch East Indies oil April 15, which was taken as a forecast of the invasion.

Mr Arita to-day summoned the Netherlands Minister (Mr Pabst) and stated that tho Japanese Government earnestly hoped that the Netherlands would firmly maintain the aforesaid policy. A surprising incident occurred at a public concert at Tokio to-day sponsored by leading educationists and attended by 4000 students. A big orchestra unexpectedly played “Deutschland Über Alles.” Tlie conductor, a German Jew (Herr Rosenstock) refused to function, wliereipi a Japanese conductor took over. Tlie incident caused a sensation. PREVENTING SABOTAGE. The Netherlands, French and British Governments have been in consultation on steps to prevent possible German attempts at sabotage in the important oil refineries of the Netherlands West Indian islands, Curaco and Aruba (states the Britsli Official Wireless). In view of the danger that local authorities might have insufficient forces to deal with such attempts it has been agreed that an Allied force should at once be dispatched to co-operate with the local administration in the execution of necesasry measures for the security of the islands. A message from Aruba, says French marines liavee landed from a warship.

It is emphasised to-day in an official quarter in London that the dispatch of Allied forces to the islands of Curacao and Aruba was decided in full agreement with the Netherlands Government to ensure that the Governor would at a moment’s notice and as soon as was deemed necessary be able to dispose of a sufficient force to prevent the sabotage of the important oil refinery. In spite of the energetic action already taken by the Governor it is regarded as essential that additional forces should at once be available to cope with any emergency. The intention is that as soon as the Netherlands Government is satisfied that security has been fully established or additional Dutch forces are available in sufficient numbers an immediate withdrawal of the British and French forces will be effected. The Dutch Indies took the invasion news calmly as the people were quite prepared, knowing the danger of their Nazi neighbour, and the Government nlans for such a contingency (states Press Association messages). Although martial law has been declared, mobilisation has not yet been ordered and it is most unlikely that theve will be any interruption or disruption of East Indies trade with other countries. Not a single German has escaped tho Dutch East Indies round-un. and among those interned on an island in Batavia Bay are 100 Dutchmen, including police officers and high officials suspected of being pro-Nazi and “dangerous elements.”