PORTUGUESE PROTESTS

Grey River Argus, 23 February 1942, Page 6

PORTUGUESE PROTESTS

SENT TO JAPAN Landing in Timor [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.J (Rec. 8.25.) LONDON, Feb. 21. The Vichy News Agency correspondent reporting from Lisbon, said that Doctor Salazar, the Prime Minister of Portugal, at an extraordinary session of the Portuguese Assembly, announced that the Portuguese Government has formally protested to Tokio against the Japanese landings on Portuguese Timor. Doctor Salazar said: “There was earlier the British and Dutch infringement of Portuguese sovereignty in Timor. This did not justify Japan’s action.” . Doctor Salazar paid a tribute to the loyalty to Britain in the negotiations relating to Timor. He said that, unfortunately, as the result of various circumstances, a month was Jost in the despatching of Portuguese troops from Mozambique, in Portuguese East Africa, to Timor to relieve the British and Dutch forces of occupation, there. He said that the Japanese Minister' in Lisbon, at six p.m. on Thursday last, presented a Note to the Portuguese Foreign Minister, announcing the Japanese occupation of Timor Island for military reasons, but stating that Japan recognised Portuguese sovereignty over Timor. Doctor Salazar added: “Japan’s action represents flagrant violations of Portuguese rights.” ENEMY CONVOY OFF TIMOR. (Rec. 8.45.) CANBERRA, Feb. 22. On Friday, Australian aircraft located an enemy convoy , near Koepang, Dutch Timor. JAPANESE FIGHT AUSTRALIANS IN TIMOR. (Rec. 7.35). LONDON, February 20. The Tokio Radio claims that Japanese forces are proceeding to occupy the whole of Timor ' Island. The Australian troops there tried to restrain the advance, but they were repulsed. A MONTH’S RAIDING. BY JAPANESE IN TIMOR AREA. (Rec. 9.5.) LONDON, Feb. 21. A Batavia message says: It can now be revealed that the islands of Timor, Flores, and Sumba, east of Java, have frequently been raided by the Japanese since January 26, when enemy fighters, for the first time, strafed a Dutch aerodrome. A plane carrying the assistance resident of Dutch Timor and a Koepang district officer, was shot down. All the occupants were killed. There have been several aerial attacks on shipping in the Timor Sea. The Rival Landings GUARANTEES TO PORTUGAL. (Rec. 6.30). LISBON, February 21. The Japanese Minister to Portugal has issued a statement that Japan is ready to guarantee the territorial integrity of Portuguese Timor, which, he stated, Japan would evacuate after attaining her objective, provided that Portugal maintained her neutrality. 8.0.W. RUGBY, February 20. With regard to the Japanese at-

tack on Timor, the Netherlands Government has issued the following statement: “According to a Communique from the Japanese headquarters, army and navy forces affected landings to-day in the vicinity of Dilli and Koepang, the capitals of Portuguese and Dutch Timor respectively. It is recalled that the Allies found themselves obliged to take defensive action against the imminent Japanese attack on Portuguese Timor, without the previous consent of the Portuguese Government. The presence of Japanese U-boats left no doubt of Japanese intentions, which were already foreshadowed by ‘economic’ penetration. The Allies made it plain that their action had no other purpose than to provide defence in time. A pledge was given to the Portuguese Government that the Allied troops would be withdrawn as soon as the emergency ended. Subsequently, conversations between the British and Portuguese Governments were held, and a's a result it was announced in Lisbon that Portuguese troops were being sent from Lourenco Marques to undertake the defence of the colony. An agreement was reached with the Portuguese Government, that the Allied troops would be withdrawn immediately after the arrival of the Portuguese forces. These troops are on their way, and a Portuguese staff officer is in Java, where the necessary measures are being worked out for the smooth change-over of the defensives forces. The Japanese know full well that the matter has been settled to the entire satisfaction of the Portuguese Government. It is evident that this arrangement did not suit the Japanese, whose aggressive policy has now vindicated the attitude of the Allied Govern- , ment.”

It is stated in informed circles that the Japanese Imperial Headquarters has issued a typically-false statement regarding the Japanese action in Portuguese Timor. When Japan began hostilities against the Allies, the virtually-undefended state of Portuguese Timor rendered it an easy prey for her. She had already established agents there, and the nucleus of an air base. The threat to Allied communication, and particularly to Darwin, was one ” “which could not be ignored. When the operations of Japanese submarines in the vicinity of Portuguese Timor portended an imminent Japanese attack, the Allies sent such forces as were available to assist in the defence of the territory. When they were informed by Dr. Salazar, Portuguese Prime Minister, that he intended to send a Portuguese force to garrison the territory, the Allies readily agreed to withdraw their own troops as soon as this force arrived. The Japanese Government was fully aware of this position, and of the 'fact that the Portuguese troops are now nearing their destination, but, with customary hypocrisy, the Japanese pretend that no solution had been reached, in order to justify an attempt to seize the territory before the Portuguese troops arrive. The Japanese plea of self-defence is clearly ridiculous. It cannot be doubted that Japan has always intended to occupy Portuguese Timor at a moment which suited her, and her attack which threatened to develop in December was merely delayed. Japan would at no time have any more scruples about violating Portuguese territory than she had in many previous aggressions.