DUTCH INDIES DEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 9, 11 January 1941, Page 9

DUTCH INDIES DEFENCE

MUCH STRONGER

HUGE' SUM SPENT

NATIVES KEEN TO SERVE

(British Official. Wireless.)

RUGBY, January 10,

Interesting comments upon the position of the Netherlands East Indies were made in London today by Dr. Slotemaker de Brume, of the Netherlands Colonial Office. "As a result of the invasion of Holland last May the East Indies, as an integral part of the, United Kingdom of the Netherlands, automatically gave up their neutrality and entered the war against Germany," he said.

"While the East Indies, in common with other Powers in the Pacific," continued Dr. de Brume, "stand for the maintenance of the status quo in that part of the world, in Europe they constitute a full ally of Britain and carry on the war against the common enemy under the direction of the responsible Dutch authorities in London and in close co-operation with the British Government. Immediately after the East Indies declared themselves at war with Germany steps were taken to increase theix defences.

"Conscription was introduced for all Dutchmen between the ages of 18 and 46, and all potentially dangerous German nationals, totalling approximately 5000, were interned. The expenditure on defence was greatly increased, and in the Budget for the year 1941 a total of £55,500,000 has been allotted to defence. Strenuous efforts are being made to mechanise the new army.

"There is a growing popular demand for service on the part of the natives as well as Dutchmen, and in other ways, too, the native population has given striking proof of its solidarity in the present time of national danger. The authorities have already provided several opportunities for natives to play a part in the defence; now officers' training schools have been opened to natives, and the same applies to the naval colleges, while in the air force a number of natives are receiving framing as pilots, gunners, and observers.

"The most important part of the defences of the Netherlands East Indies is the navy. Even in peace the largest part of the Royal Dutch Navy was always based in the East Indies, and there it still remains. It contains all sorts of naval units, from cruisers to submarines and small patrolling craft. New ships of a lighter type are being built locally, and the naval forces are being continually increased.

"In the economic field the war naturally has brought great changes. Exchange control was immediately introduced, and as a result of the closing of the European market to East Indies products new arrangements had to be made for disposal of their raw material. The European market had accounted for as much as 99 per cent, of such expoi'ts as tobacco, while it took respectively 17 per cent, and 22 per cent, of the East Indies' exports of oil and rubber. This stream of • supplies has now been completely cut off to Europe under its Nazi master.

"The Netherlands East Indies mercantile marine is also rendering great service to the Allied cause."