Japan Insists On Status Quo In East Indies

Northern Advocate, 13 May 1940, Page 5

Japan Insists On Status Quo In East Indies

LONDON, May 12. Japan has notified the United States, Britain, France, Holland, Italy and Germany that Japan insists upon the maintenance of the status quo in the East Indies, says a message from Tokio. A Dutch official stated that Japanese trade in the East Indies, including rubber and oil, may increase as the result of the war. The Netherlands’ sales to the soviet may be reduced for fear they may eventually reach Germany. The Dutch legation in Tokio emphasised that Dutch possessions in the East Indies were not affected by the invasion of Holland. Protection Offer Waived. The Indies Government waived any offer of protection by any foreign power, being fully prepared to uphold the independence of Holland’s overseas territories, regardless of conditions in the Mother Country. A message from The Hague says tne Hutch Foreign Minister (Hr. van Kleffens) stated that German espionage in the Dutch East Indies was not so complete as in Holland. The strong air and land and naval forces in the East Indies included 120 bombers of American make, and 100 fighter aircraft. Navy to Remain. By far the greater part of the Dutch Navy would remain in the Far East. There were heavy coastal batteries in the East Indies. “The question of British protection does not arise,” said Dr. van Kleffens, “because Holland is well armed there. “It would be a most serious enterprise for anybody to "attack the East Indies.” Public Calm. Not Surprised. The Japanese public is ealm and not surprised at the invasion of the Low Countries, having fully anticipated it since Mr Arita’s declaration last Wednesday regarding the status of the Dutch East Indies, which was taken as a forecast of the invasion. Mr Arita summoned the Netherlands Minister (M. Pabst) and stated that the Japanese Government earenstly hoped that the Netherlands would firmly maintain its policy of independence.

There was a surprising incident at a public concert in Tokio on Saturday, which was sponsored by leading educationalists and attended by 4,000 students. The big orchestra unexpectedly played “Deutschland über Alles.” The conductor, a German Jew (Mr Rosenstock), refused to conduct, upon which a Japanese conductor took over. The incident caused a sensation. No British Interference. A British Official Wireless message says the British Gvernment had previously expressed interest in the maintenance of the status quo in the Netherlands East Indies. This attitude, it may be stated, remains unchanged. The British Government has no intention whatever of intervening in the East .Indies, nor has any suggestion been made from any quarter that it should do so.