WARNING BY JAPANESE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 112, 5 February 1941, Page 9

WARNING BY JAPANESE

Fate Of Dutch East Indies EFFECT OF REFUSAL TO CO-OPERATE (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received February 4, 10.40 p.m.) TOKIO, February 3. The “Teito Nichi Nichi Shimbun” says: “The Netherlands East Indies is taking such an audacious and impertinent attitude in rejecting participation in the Japanese-advocated East Asia co-prosperity sphere because Japan has not bombed Hong Kong and Singapore. If such drastic action is taken by Japan, the Netherlands Indies’ authorities will be unable to raise a finger.” The newspaper “Yomiuri Shimbun warned the Netherlands Indies * that obstinate adherence to the BritishAmerican fold would forfeit its existence in Great Asia under a combined attack by all the Asiatic countries. The “Asahi Shimbun,” commenting on the Netherlands attitude, said: “This is not strange because the Dutch Government is located in London and is under British influence.” Mr. Hoshino, president of the Cabinet Planning Board, told the House Budget Committee that Japan was justified tn the prevailing circumstances in uhhZ' ing the natural resources of the South Seas as the only means of strengthening Japan’s national power as soon as possible. The South Seas region was Japan’s lifeline. The army has opened a two-day conference to increase its efficiency . “on account of the unprecedented difficulties confronting Japan.” All the chiefs of staff are attending the conference, including General Itagaki, commander of the forces in China. The “Nichi Nichi Shimbun” says that the Finance Ministry has decided to seek drastic foreign exchange control laws empowering the Government to seize the properties of foreigners as retaliatory action in the event of it being necessary to protect Japanese properties abroad.