STATUS OF INDIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 113, 14 May 1940, Page 8

STATUS OF INDIES

NO CHANGE EXPECTED

NETHERLANDS STATEMENT

ASSURANCE TO JAPAN

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received May 14, 10.30 a.m.)

WASHINGTON, May 13

The Netherlands Ambassador, Dr. John Loudon, has made public a cable from the Dutch Foreign Minister, M. Spaak, who is now in London, M. Spaak saying, "We have absolute confidence that no alteration in the political or legal status of the East or West Indies is contemplated by the Allies and we feel equally confident about Japan."

According to a Tokio message, the Japanese Foreign Office has announced that Britain, through her Ambassador, Sir Robert Craigie, has assured Japan that she has not any intention of intervening in the East Indies, believing the Dutch forces are sufficient to maintain the status quo.

It is reported from Willemstad that a state of siege was declared throughout the Dutch West Indies following the arrival of 500.Allied troops aboard a Canadian destroyer. The authorities announced that 400 Germans will be interned on the island of Bonaire.

WASHINGTON, May 12

The Australian Minister. Mr. R. G. Casey, is in close consultation with the State Department and the British Embassy regarding the Dutch East Indies. It is understood that important conferences have been held in the last 36 hours. Much information is reaching Washington about the East Indies and is being studied very closely,