HOLLAND'S COLONIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 71, 25 March 1938, Page 6

HOLLAND'S COLONIES

NAVAL DEFENCE

A MOBILE FLEET

The announcement by de Heer Koolhoven,' director of one of Holland's biggest' aeroplane factories, that this, year he is to establish' a factory for military' aeroplanes in Jays, Dutch East Indies, has' caused great satisfaction in Holland, states the "Daily Telegraph." It is regarded as a further indication . that Holland is increasingly strengthening her defences in the Dutch East Indies, the total land area of which is almost 1,250,000 square miles.' I am able to state that Holland, with her present sea forces, can make it a risky business for any Power who may wish to invade the Dutch East Indies or land forces anywhere in the archipelago. ' ' Netherlands' defence policy is the same in the colonies as at home—a policy of independence, whereby no agreements or pacts are directly concluded and all aggression avoided. All that is aimed at is defence of her territory. . , v POSITIONS REINFORCED. The sea defence of the Dutch East Indies is based, primarily on the mobility of its fleet, which, in the event of ' invasion,' would constantly attack and worry enemy sea forces; The main naval base of ■ the Dutch East Indies fleet is Surabaya, on Java's north-east coast, centrally situated in the archipelago. Surabaya is fully prepared for defence. From this' point all sea activities would be directed. There are several other reinforced positions,, such as Tarakan and Balik Papan, in Borneo. The Dutch navy is constantly patrolling every part of the archipelago, including the Rhio Islands, near Singapore. ■ , ■ ■ For the defence of* the Dutch East Indies, Holland has, available three cruisers, the De Ruyter, 6450 tons, a new-^hip, and the, Java and Sumatra, 6670 tons each. A new 8000-ton cruiser is being built. She will have, a speed of 33 knots,. and/will carry ten 6-in guns, and -a modern anti-aircraft defence. ■ The Java was built in 1928, but she has been1 modernised in; Holland. During her modernisation: she was fitted with -a new director tower and new anti-aircraft defences comprising ten mcchine-guns,, each capable of firing 110 shots a minute. Two new destroyer leaders, each armed with six 6-in guns, are being built The first, the Tromp, 3450 tons, will make her trial run in April. These ships will strengthen Holland's East Indies navy.. . ~ . . ' In. the-Dutch East Indies ihere are also available eight 1316-toh destroyers, each capable of 35 knots.: Four 1600----ton destroyers are being built. ' ■'■' Twelve submarines are also stationed in the Dutch East Indies. These craft, the pride of the navy, can, operate' over great distances. Nine more are being built. FORTY-TWO FLYING-BOATS. The East Indies, navy has a number of Dornier DR24K flying-boats. ' Soon there will be 42 of these formidable fighting 'machines available. They are excellent for reconnoitring, and capable .also of carrying more than a ton of bombs each. .' ": ; Other . naval - aircraft ~ in.elude big Fokker seaplanes capable of carrying 'air-torpedoes; :T,he Dutch army^in tha East has a number of heavy Glenn Martin bombers and; many Fokker planes..' ; . '. A naval war in the Southern Pacific would probably involve more than two navies. In such circumstances Holland feels sure that any fleet directed against the, Dutch East Indies would find itself opposed by a modest but mobile, and therefore formidable, Dutch navy.