DUTCH RESISTANCE IN JAVA

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 137, 6 March 1942, Page 4

DUTCH RESISTANCE IN JAVA

Holding Up The Enemy TIME TO PREPARE ALLIED COUNTER-OFFENSIVE

The confident hope that the Dutch in Java would be able to hold up the enemy for a considerable time, thus enabling the United Nations to finish their preparations for a counter-offen-sive, was expressed by the Consul for the Netherlands, Mr. M. F. Vigeveno, addressing the English-Speaking Union in Wellington yesterday. He also, however, stressed the need for Allied reinforcements now.

“Whatever may happen in the next few weeks in Java nobody can foretell,” said Mr. Vigeveno. “I shall not attempt to make any prophecies. I do believe and hope, however, that it will be possible for the defenders to hold on to a part of the island for a considerable time, thus keeping large numbers of the enemy occupied, in the same way the gallant Americans, under General MacArthur, are doing on the Batan Peninsular. This would be of tremendous value to the Allies, and particularly to Australia’and New Zealand, as it would keep the invaders from these two Dominions and enable the United Nations to finish their preparations for a counter-offensive. “The result of the Dutch effort in Java would, however, as must be obvious, be greatly influenced by the arrival of Allied reinforcements right now.” Mr. Vigeveno drew a verbal picture of a village being threatened by a band of highwaymen and the inhabitants staying at home to protect their own homes, whereas, by meeting the attackers in force near the entrance, they could save tlie whole village. ' “One thing is sure,” said Mr. Vigeveno, “no matter what fate awaits the Indies, Netberlanders, both in and outside occupied territories, will carry on the fight to regain their freedom.”

Statements that Holland, by remaining neutral in the period between September, 1939, and the invasion of the Low Countries, had not been doing its bit, were referred to.by Mr. Vigeveno. The .outlook of the Dutch people at that time was completely in sympathy with Britainj he said, but circumstances hiade it imperative, in the interests of the Allies themselves, that Holland remain neutral as long ‘as possible. Without criticizing anyone, 'but merely stating the facts, one could say that when the invasion did take place help was not forthcoming. If Holland had not been neutral the Germans would have been in months before, when it would have been even more embarrassing to England and France. That Holland had acted purely from practical considerations, in the interests of the democracies', was shown by the fact that, three months ago, though her territories were not immediately threatened, and though she had no obligations tp China, the United States or Britain, she declared war on. Japan and gave what help she cohid.