DUTCH UNEASY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 228, 26 September 1941, Page 7

DUTCH UNEASY

TIES WITH BRITAIN Silence On East Indies Relations United Pre«s Association. —Copyright. Rec. 2 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 25. Dutch opinion Is unanimous that the time has arrived when Mr. Churchill should make a full and positive 'statement on the relations between Britain and the Netherlands East Indies. The Batavia Nieuwsblad directs attention to the fact that both Mr. Duff Cooper. British representative in the Far East, and Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert BrookePopham. Commander-in-Chief, Far East, have evaded questions as to why no complete alliance exists. The newspaper says there must be some reason for Britain's aversion from any alliance and for the very careful and, for the most part, negative utterances of Mr. Cooper and Sir Robert. "The only solution is that Britain has to take into account the circumstances in which British assistance would not be absolutely assured beforehand, otherwise' why this caution?" states the paper. Informed sources say that the silence is causing undesirable misunderstanding and uneasiness among the peoples of the Netherlands East Indies, China and the United States. Speculation is rife whether Canberra will urge Mr. Churchill to make an early statement to clear away the present doubts.