NEW AGGRESSION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 44, 21 February 1942, Page 7

NEW AGGRESSION

INVASION OF TIMOR Plea Of Self-defence Held Ridiculous Rec. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, Feb. 20. It is stated in informed circles that Japanese Imperial Headquarters has issued a typically false statement regarding the Japanese action against Portuguese Timor. When Japan began hostilities against the Allies the virtually undefended State of Portuguese Timor rendered it an easy prey for her. She had already established agents there and the nucleus of an air base. The threat to Allied communications, and particularly to Darwin, was one which could not be ignored. When operations by Japanese submarines in the vicinity of Portuguese' Timor portended an imminent Japanese attack, the Allies sent such forces as were available to assist in the defence of the territory. When they were informed by Doctor Salazar, Portuguese Prime Minister, that he intended to send a Portuguese force to garrison the territory, the Allies readily.agreed to withdraw their own troops as soon as this i force arrived.

The Japanese Government is fully aware of this position and of the fact that the Portuguese troops are now nearing their destination, but with customary duplicity, the Japanese pretend that no solution has been reached, in order to justify an attempt to seize the territory before the Portuguese troops arrive. Japan's plea of self-defence is clearly ridiculous. It cannot be doubted that Japan always intended to occupy Portuguese Timor at the moment which suited her, and her attack, which threatened to develop in December, was merely delayed. Japan would at no time have any more scruples about violating Portuguese territory than she had in many previous aggressions.