NAZI INTRIGUE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 April 1940, Page 5

NAZI INTRIGUE

ATTEMPT TO RAISE TENSION OVER DUTCH INDIES AMBASSADOR TO JAPAN ACCUSED. PAYMENT FOR ALARMIST ARTICLES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. NEW YORK, April 21. The “New York Times” correspondent at Shanghai, Mr Hallett Abend, says that sensational reports alleging that the German Ambassador in Tokio, General Ott, deliberately provoked the dispute over the Netherlands East Indies have been sent by British, Dutch and other officials to their respective Governments. The correctness of the allegation canrot be ascertained in Shanghai. It is alleged that General Ott paid 20,000 yen (about £l3OO sterling) to a chain of Japanese newspapers for publication of a series of alarmist articles, claiming that if Herr Hitler invades Holland the Allies will seize the East Indies. The articles deeply stirred the Japanese, and the Foreign Minister, Mr Arita, fell into the German trap and issued his declaration on Monday asserting Japan’s interest in that area. General Ott’s motive was allegedly to embroil the United States in a war with Japan. Washington reports that the Japanese Ambassador, Mr Horinouchi, after an interview with the State Secretary, Mr Hull, stated that both Japan and the United States desire to maintain the status quo in the Dutch East Indies.