JAPAN'S ATTITUDE TO DUTCH EAST INDIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 90, 16 April 1940, Page 7

JAPAN'S ATTITUDE TO DUTCH EAST INDIES.

IF WAR SPREADS. Make No Move If Other Powers Do Not Do So. HOLLAND'S POSITION. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, April 15. A message from Tokyo says that Mr. Anta, Foreign Minister, made a statement that is interpreted to mean that Japan at present will make no move in the Dutch East Indies if other Powers refrain from doing so. According to well-informed sources, the Japanese Government is warning belligerents that it will take countermeasures 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 over any development, accompanying aggravation of the European war, affecting the status quo in the Dutch East Indies.

Should extension of the war to the Netherlands produce repercussions in Dutch Indies, it would interfere with Japan's economic relations with the Indies and arouse an undesirable situation regarding the peace and stability of East Asia.

Mr. Arita added: "Japan would be deeply concerned in any development of the European war affecting the status quo in Dutch East Indies. Japan is economically bound to intimate relations in the South Seas region.

"Should hostilities be extended to the Netherlands and prodiiM repercussions in the Netherlands East Tndies, it would not only interfere with the maintenance and furtherance of these relations, but would also cause an undesirable situation from the standpoint of peace and stability in East Asia."

Newspapers warn that strong action will bo taken in the event of an attempt being made to seize the Dutch East Indies, witjj unanimity that indicates official inspiration.

The "Japan Times" says: "Any clianpe of policy regarding the* Far Eastern possessions of Euro|>eans must be accomplished only with Japan's full consent and concurrence. Any attempt to ignore that principle would involve a revision of Japan's non-involvement policy."

"The Times" Amsterdam correspondent says the Dutch regard discussions in the United States and Japan about the fate of the Kast Indies as premature and misplaced. Commentators point out that identical policies were followed by Holland and the East Indies and for that reason the Government would consider any attempt to provide unrequired or unrequested protection as an act of hostility, necessitating counter-measures.