DUTCH RESOLVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 August 1941, Page 5

DUTCH RESOLVE

DEFENCE OF TERRITORY IN FAR EAST QUEEN WILHELMINA BROADCASTS HOPES OF EARLY LIBERATION. BUT LAST LAP MOST DIFFICULT. ißritish Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 30. Queen Wilhelmina, broadcasting from England to all Dutch people, said her Government was determined to fight if its territory in the Far East was threatened by armed forces. Owing to the threatening clanger of war in the immediate vicinity of the Netherlands East Indies, it was following the developments in continuous and close co-operation with the British and United States Governments. "Should circumstances arise, owing to the geographical situation of the Netherlands'East Indies, which force a fight upon us, there is no doubt whatsoever that we would with our allies accept that fight," said the Queen, who said she was satisfied to observe the stout, intrepid spirit among all sections of the population of the’ East Indies and the resoluteness and preparedness of the expanding navy, army and air force. The reconstructed Netherlands Cabinet in England, said the»Queen, would prepare measures to enable the Government which would be in power after her return to conduct affairs with 3 firm hand and ensure that traitors would not escape well-deserved punishment. They all hoped that liberation would soon come, but the last lap would be the most difficult. The more difficult things became for the tyrant, the more ruthless he would be towards those in his power. He would try to break passive resistance, destroy social life, banish men they trusted and despoil the soul of the people in underhand ways not recognised at once. They would, with God’s help, arise from misery and form part of the best nucleus of humanity because they fought well and kept the faith. They must await the .sign of victory which would come from England when the time of liberation dawned. The Queen said she read with gladness in an English newspaper that Netherlands inventiveness and courage had succeeded in hoisting a large white flag with a “V" on her Palace on the Sunday the V campaign was inaugurated.