TIMOR ISLAND

Grey River Argus, 30 November 1943, Page 6

TIMOR ISLAND

Japanese Atrocities PORTUESE LEADER'S REVELATION. RUGBY. Nov. 28. Imnortant diplomatic developments are expected to follow the Portuguese Prime Minister, Doctor Salazar’s revelations of Japanese murder, robbery and devastation in Timor Island, north-west of Australia. Dr; Salazar, addressing the Portuguese National Assembly, said: “Invoking necessities of defence, the Japanese closed down the Timor radio station at the end of May last year, after which our colony was isolated from its homeland. We could contact Timor only through Australia. A darker period followed. We received news from refugees reaching Australia, but we did not wish to build up on this alonb a construction of the events which, subsequently, so much concerned our relations with the Japanese. It can be affirmed that there were insurrections by the natives,- who were perfectly peaceful under our rule.” He continued: “Dozens of people were murdered —priests, doctors, civil servants, and private citizens. Thanks to the Australian Government’s trenerosity and humanitarianism, over five hundred people took refuge in Australia, they 'having saved nothing but their lives. There were robberies, destruction, and devastation. The Governor is still at Dilli. Timor Island for a long time ha s not received supplies. Trade was paralysed. The harvest was ruined. Many things essential for the life of the population were lacking. We do not know if, and how, the administration is carried on, or to what extent Portuguese Sovereigntv has been reduced, despite the Tokio Government’s reiterated declarations of respect for it.” i • Doctor Salazar said that Tokio had not agreed to reopen the radio station, and had not permitted code communications to the Governor. Portugal, he said, had not accepted ‘‘the good offices” of Japanes, as forced intermediaries, for telegrams sent to the Government of the colony.” Dr. Salazar added that the Japanese had refused to permit an official from Macao to inquire into events, “including a Japanese allegation ot Government responsibility for acts against the spirit of neutrality.” The Governor, through the Japanese, had recently reported some amelioration of the general situation regarding health, public order, and supplies. “The situation in Timor persists, after two years of patient slow, minable, fruitless negotiations. We must find a solution. Apart from this lamentable case, relations with tne Japanese had otherwise been correctl’ r maintained,” said Dr Salazer. He revealed that Portugal is receiving British war material, without payment, in return for the use of the Azores bases by the Allies. Dr. Salazar’s revealations about the conditions on Timor has deeply shocked the Portuguese public.