THE EAST INDIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24605, 13 May 1941, Page 7

THE EAST INDIES

DEFENCES STRENGTHENED ALLEGIANCE OF NATIVES BATAVIA, May 11. Three hundred thousand Dutch, 1.500,000 Chinese, and over 60,000,000 natives in the East Indies entered the second year of war against Germany with a solemn declaration to continue the fight with Britain until the aggressor is defeated. The allegiance of the natives to the British and Dutch cause was demonstrated by special services in all the mosques throughout the East Indies At Batavia’s chief mosque the Regent of Batavia addressed the faithful, saying: “The East Indies will offer the strongest opposition if attacked, without consideration from which side the attack comes.” • Reviewing the strengthening of the East’ Indies defences, General J Berenschot, commander-in-chief of the Netherlands East Indies Army, said: “ Our Ait' Force has received important reinforcements, increasing the safety of large towns against air attacks. Supplies of new’ aircraft are still coming forward, and our squadrons are patrolling the whole Archipelago These aircraft operate from bases well defended by infantry, and from these bases they can refuel and load bombs when required. Widespread fuel and ammunition dumps laid down by the army have been reinforced with men, arms and mechanised equipment Mobility has been increased with armoured cars and hundreds of motor transport vehicles. In addition to the standing army, a second army, including town guards and country guards, is rapidly being formed. There are new fortifications in many places in the Archipelago, and these have greatly increased our defensive power.