Why Britain Has Given No Final Pledge To Indies

Northern Advocate, 19 November 1941, Page 5

Why Britain Has Given No Final Pledge To Indies

(Rec. 1 p.m.) BATAVIA. Nov. 18. The well-known Netherlands journalist, van Blenkenstein, special London correspondent of the newspaper “Batavia Asch Nieuwsblad,” cables an explanation of why the British Government is unwilling officially to pledge assistance to the Netherlands East Indies in the case of Japanese attack. The correspondent says that in the event of Britain having officially committed itself to help the East Indies, it would automatically be attacked when the Netherlands East Indies was attacked. Placing* Responsibility In that case the United States help would not only be the concern of the Netherlands East Indies, but also of Britain, thus fortifying the arguments of United States isolationists that the United States would be forced to aid Britain in any part of the world. The United States, however, is still as much interested in the Netherlands East Indies as Britain is. Therefore, United States help is expected if the Netherlands East Indies are attacked, which help would then not concern Britain directly. In Interests of U.S. Aid to the Netherlands East Indies would then be based upon simultaneous United States and British action. That is what Britain prefers, not being committed beforehand in a greater degree than the United States to the Netherlands East Indies. Mr. Churchill’s last statement in regard to British and American cooperation in the Pacific is the consequence of this policy, says the correspondent. Mr. Churchill could only pledge assistance to the United States, although there is not the slightest doubt that the American-Britain-China-Dutch front would be an actual reality.