FOR JAP. ATTACK

Grey River Argus, 24 February 1942, Page 5

FOR JAP. ATTACK

Dutch Undismayed “CAN TURN TIDE OF WAR." [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 12.561) BATAVIA, Feb. 22. The Associated Press representative cables: “To-day I sat on the terrace of a luxury hotel and listened to an eleven-piece orchestra with unconscious cynicism playing selections from “The Mikado.” The all clear had just sounded outside. Natives milled through the streets. Inside officers drank and swopped stories, while -Hutch and Emgirls, greatly outnumbered and revelling in it, held court. Last night the dance floor was so crowded that it was uncomfortable. The bar was jammed, and so was the diningroom, which is understandable as guests are sleeping five to a room. There is no sign of depression, fear, or foreboding. I had seen the same thing at Bandoeng and Sourabaya. War, even on an island smaller than New Zealand can’t kill' gaiety. The Japanese might have been a thousand miles away, instead of under two hundred. But the cloud moving over Java isn’t ignored. Many men in the bar met the Japs, face to face, some in Sumatra, others in Borneo, and the outer islands. At any moment the greatest blitz yet launched by the Japanese will be directed at Java. The mere fact that invasion has been delayed for some days is an indication that the Japanese are not underestimating the strength of the defences. They are bringing up reinforcements and preparing bases before striking.

“To get fabulously wealthy Java, with every raw material Japan needs and forty-seven million natives for cheap labour was Japan’s primary object when she entered this war. When she strikes it will be with her full strength aerially and navally, and heavy troop landings will probably be made at several points. The Dutch defence is based on the mobility. The Netherlands Ealst Indies Army hopes, by its ability to rush strong forces to threatened points, to meet the Japanese on even terms. Dutch courage has never faltered. It is not faltering even though it is feared that all Allied promises are not going to be fulfilled. The Dutch here see themselves in the same position as England after Europe was conquered. They say: “Hitler got' everything but what he wanted —England. The Japs, got everything but what they want—Java. If we can hold Java we can turn the tide of the war.”