DEFENCE OF JAVA

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 80, 7 September 1938, Page 4

DEFENCE OF JAVA

v>ANXIETY TO ff'E DCTSH AIR FORCE AND SUBLMAIUNES “iCTIVE STEPS TAKEN That the Dutch have been very anx- . ious ■ tor several years at tfie penetration oi tlie Japanese southwards, • iltore particularly- a£ the nearest outfield to Japaimj.a&‘ft), Berneo, was the ’opinion expressed in an interview 111 CLiristchurcn by Air A. J. Belaud, ef Sourabaya, java, >vho is visiting Cliristciiurcli, ill tne course of a world tour. “The Dutch realise to the lull,” be -said, “that they must be prepared for any eventuality and are actively strengtnening every nraiieii pi their defences. n.

“The completion of the Singapore Xjtval base,” Mr Leland said, "was received with feelings' of intense gratification in. the Dutch community. They realise that a Britain prepared 'to protect her interests is the best guarantor of tlie security of the 1 Dutch colonial possessions.

“Now that Japan is definitely committed in China, . iny opinion is that the danger to tlie East Indies has been considerably eased, unless the naval party, always in favour of expansion to the south are opposed to tiie army’s territorial 'adventures iu Manchiikuo and North China, forces the issue with a view to saving the country’s face, slqsty v in tlni presentwar.” . Efficient Air Force The Dutch, Air Belaud explained, had reached advanced stages in tno protectk>iiu#o&their main centres from air raids. They had a large submarine flotilla which was very up-to-date, and nijist efficiently manned. Their naval air was one of which they could justifiably be proud, and which rtliey were in r process of re-e----quipping with the most"modern Hornier flying,, boats, of German design J but'made iif Holland. Many Alartiii bcinbers ; .wei-e also on order. Air exercises. of tlie.' most strenuous type were undertaken, the machines travelling to as far away as New Guinea and being absent.- from their bases for two months af a time. “The army gives the impression of

being starved financially,” Air Leland said, “although jts morale is excellent and -it lias proved itself in many colonial wars.” ’■ -, v -, . .. Little 'Fear of Revolt AVhen asked tlie cry of “Asia for “the , Asiatics” was ever heaid from, tlie.more vocal sections of tlie native population, Mr Belaud said there was/ little - demand on the part, of the Javanese. for self-govern-ment. ‘‘Naturally there is a nationalist party in the Dutch East lie said, “which, while it needs watching,need not be taken as a serious danger to Dutch colonial power under present circumstances.,

“The mutch are extremely fortunate,'” he - coabiuded, “in that the moneyed classes in Java are Chinese, who form a sort of go-between between, the native and the European. The Chinese trader and small merchant are found in ai| parts of the island. They form a: hard-working; and law-a-biding .section -of the population Who know perfectly well that they stand to lose by rapid change. They form an,almost perfect shock-absorber between the other two races and are certainly likely, to oppose radical movements/’