TIMOR ISLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21773, 12 October 1932, Page 7

TIMOR ISLAND

JAPAN’S INTENTIONS THE REPORT DISCOUNTED (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, October 10. Regarding the assertion that Japan is seeking to acquire a portion of Timor naval experts say that with Timor, plus the Carolines, Japan could straddle Australia, eventually offsetting the value of Singapore. The Japanese Ambassador stated: *• We are quite uninformed of any such intention;” The Dutch Embassy also knew nothing about the report. The Portuguese Embassy declared that it was unthinkable that Portugal would sell Timor. Possibly Japan contemplated overtures, but she would get little satisfaction, as public opinion in Portugal, despite the military dictatorship, would not tolerate the sale. It could be said without even communicating with Lisbon that the transfer of Timor was unlikely. SCEPTICISM IN THE HAGUE. TOKIO, October 11. (Received Oct. 12, at 0.30 a.m.) A message from The Hague in connection with the report about Japan being anxious to secure the Portuguese territory of Timor Island says that the. story is received with scepticism. The Rotterdamsche Courant reveals that Article -XIII in the Dutch-Portu-guese Treaty of 1904 gives Holland preference in any transfer of rights, while both agreed in an exchange of Notes in 1807 not to concede any third Power the right to establish coaling or marine stations in the East Indies. A DENIAL FROM LISBON. LISBON, October 11. (Received Oct. 12, at 0.30 a.m.) The Foreign Minister (Commander Branco) says that the report is incorrect.