DUTCH EAST INDIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24297, 14 May 1940, Page 7

DUTCH EAST INDIES

BRITAIN'S INTEREST ATTITUDE UNCHANGED NO INTERVENTION IAMERICA WATCHING 'Bi-'t'sh otnciai Wireifss) (United Press Association) (By Electric Teiegr;. F h—Copyright) RUGBY, May 12. The British Government has 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. A message from Washington states that the Australian Minister (Mr R. G. Casey) is in close consultation with the State Department and the British Embassy regarding the Dutch East Indies. It is understood that important conferences have been held in the last 36 hours. Much information is reaching Washington about the East Indies, and it is being studied very closely. It was emphasised to-day in an official quarter in London that the despatch of 'Allied forces to the islands of Curacao and Aruba was decided in full'agreement ■with' the Netherlands Government to ensure that the Governor would, at a moment's notice and as soon as he deemed it necessary., be able to disoose of a sufficient force to prevent the sabotage of the .important oil refineries. In soite of the energetic

action already taken bv the Governor, it is regarded as essential that additional forces should at once be available to cope with any emergency. The intention is that as soon as the Netherlands Government is satisfied that security has been fully established, or additional . Dutch forces are available in sufficient numbers, an. immediate withdrawal of the" Allied units will be made.