NETHERLANDS INDIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 February 1942, Page 5

NETHERLANDS INDIES

CENTRE OF DANGER-ZONE

DUTCH MINISTER’S WARNING NEW YORK, February 15.

The Dutch Foreign Minister (Dr. van Kieffens), writing in the “New York Times,” says the Netherlands East Indies has become the main centre of the danger-zone. He explains that if the Japanese succeed in firmly entrenching themselves in the Netherlands East Indies, the Nazis and the Japanese would certainly encircle and dominate militarily and economically entire Asia and also the south-western Pacific. “It is not time now to argue about how Malaya and Singapore could have been held,” says Dr. van Kieffens, “it is more important to hold the next defence line, particularly Java. Also certain reproaches that this or that ally has failed in its appointed task are harmful and dangerous. They undermine unity and also are mostly based on farreaching ignorance of immensely complex problems. “Although the Allied situation today is clearly grave, we should not count only our misfortunes, but also our blessings, particularly the overwhelming numerical, material and spiritual superiority ol Britain, America, Russia and China, which will no doubt guarantee final victory.” DUTCH DETERMINATION (Rec 11.43) BATAVIA, Feb. 15. The possibility of a separate peace offer to the Netherlands East Indies by Japan, is mentioned in an authoritative statement broadcast Irom Batavia. The statement says that the Dutch are determined to fight-to the full extent of their resources, and tneir plans will not leave room for strategical retreats or evacuations. It also declares that official Netherland East Indies opinion is that, ff the Dutch effort is to be of real value to the Allied cause, a constant flow of reinforcements must be maintained. It appeals for more Allied actions of darmg and dash, like Admiral Nimitz’s attack on Marshall Islands, in order to relieve the increasing Japanese pressure on the Netherlands East Indies Islands. IMPORTANCE TO AUSTRALIA BATAVIA, February 13. “If the Allies allow the Netherlands East Indies to become another Malaya, nothing can save Australia from a direct attack within a matter of weeks,” said Mr. Robert Allington, the Malayan Broadcasting Commission’s news commentator, who has arrived from Singapore. “There is no menace to Australia until Java falls,” he said. “Java is to Australia what Singapore has been to Java. The danger is that the Australians will not see through the Japanese smokescreen. Their attention will be concentrated on New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago and Timor to the exclusion of Java. Holding Java would shorten the Pacific war by two ye “ Java can be defended if fighters and bombers arrive in time. .Manpower is also needed, but aircraft must come first. At no time did the Japanese in Malaya have a superiority exceeding 20 per cent. The trouble was that they made it 500 per cent in vital spots. One hundred and fifty modern fighters and 100 more bombers probably would have saved Malaya. Large numbers would be needed for Java, but the problem is essentially the same.”

FRANK RADIO COMMENTS NEW YORK, February 14. The “New York Post,” in a leading article to-day, says: “Australian officials show wisdom by letusing to censor Cecil Brown’s radio reports. (Brown is apparently a radio commentator now in Australia.) We can stand the truth and be the better tor it. Let us squeeze every lesson we can from the Singapore struggle. To discuss the Singapore set-back is now the first duty ol all ot us. What went wrong? The truth is our ally. We want to know.” The “New York Post gives prominence to Brown’s second broadcast, which, the “New York Posh surpusingly asserts, was not heard locally oi in Australia. To-day, according to the New York Post.” Brown declares that because of Singapore Australians are very angry, bitter, and apprehensive, and that unprecedented criticism oi the Mother Country is appearing m Australian newspapers. Brown criticises Australia, too, declaring that there are many aspects of unreadiness. He quotes one Australian newspaper editor as saying. “Conscription for the Army is one thing no one talks about. The people here know that the salvation ot this country depends on overseas troops, ships, and aeroplanes.’

CAMPAIGN IN BURMA. BITTER FIGHTING REPORTED. LONDON, February 15. The bitterest fighting of the war in Burma has taken place in the past few days since the Japanese tniust across the Salween River, says Reuter’s correspondent in Rangoon. The Indians have borne the brum ot the fighting and have acquitted themselves gallantly. Martaban fell mtei a considerable force crossed the Salween and worked its way to the r cai. of the town, linking up with another force landed from the sea northwards of Martaban, ’ilie garrison, consisting of British and Indians, cut its way through the Japanese lines to escape encirclement. . Fresh Chinese troops poured into Burma on Friday. It is stated that thousands more are on the way. All have had fighting experience against the Japanese. ~ , A Chinese Information Department official announced that the British ana American air forces in Burma had been reinforced and would proye much stronger thg,n those either in Malaya or the Philippines. REACHING DECISIVE STAGE.

(Recd. 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. la. The battle for the control of the east coast of the Gull ot Martaban is reaching the decisive stage, says the Associated Press Rangoon correspondent. The Japanese ai e attacking towards Tfiatqn tiom sea coast landing points, also on a deep salient on -tne road between Paan and Thaton. The Jap anese crossing of the Salween Rivei is reported to have been made in substantial strength. The Japanese control the area west of Martaban and near Paan, but the situation has not yet become critical. The Tokio radio says that a big battle is raging in the Paan aiea.