JAPAN'S ENTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24792, 17 December 1941, Page 6

JAPAN'S ENTRY

MOVE CAME TOP LATE LIKELY TOMORTEN WAR (Special) . AUCKLAND, Dec, ljS, That the entry of /Japan into the war and, the expansion of hostilities involving the Americas Would tend, to shorten rather than lengthen the period of the t conflict..was:ihe viewjexpfiessed by Mr C. A. van Bovene, sentative of the Dutch. press in the Netherlands East Indies,- who has arrived in Auckland on his way to New York and London. The intensification of hostilities arid the consolidatiori of the-Allied Powers and resources, he * said, would inevitably bring to bear a greater weight of arms im the enejny: Mr van Bovene recalled "that the Netherlands East Indies: had been negotiating with "Japan' for well? over, a year before the American-and Japanese talks commenced in Washington. The official opinion in Batavia was that these talks would be just as fruitless as were those of his country with ■Japan... v ; : ; ;,-_. V; -j; - . Earlier Than 'Expected .'; "The Japanese were asking for too much," he continued, after referring : lo the economic measures taken by the A.B.CD. Powers. It was fully expected hi the Netherlands East Indies that Japan would choose her own time to Strike;, but the feeling was that the talks would be protracted until the fall of Moscow or until the beginning of the New Year. The blow had fallen ;was expected, but w the 'meantime the people of the Netherlands East Indies, had been preparing themselves by building up an army arid a very strong air force:.. "We have a large number of warplanes/' bombers and fighters, mostly of American make of practically, every type,'"'>Mr van Bovene added; "After the onslaught on Honolulu we decided to join with the Allied Powers and reverse our attitude of defence:to one . of offence." The Netherlands Pacific Fleet was also an important arm, and had a large number of very fast mosquito craft. A complete black-out was being observed in all.cities in the East Indies, he said. He'had noticed that. Sydney had not instituted- a black-out, • but he did not consider that unusual, in view of its distance from the seat of hostilities. There was great satisfaction in the Netherlands East Indies that the people there.had the.Uriited States, Britain and China now fighting by their side. The feeling was prevalent there that Russia would join in the war in the Pacific with, such powerful allies.'

National Hari-kiri He did not for. one second dotibt the outcome of the conflict. Had Japan struck in June, 1940, after the collapse of France, the issue might have been different. "We .feel, that Japan Has been too late in her move," he added. The economic measures taken against Japan and the war in China have; exhausted . a lot of the Japanese population. • ./ ■■ ~".'"• ■ "The latest Japanese aggression might be described as magnificent suicide, or, in their own phrase, national hara-kiri," said' Mr , van Bovene. He said he was on his way to- visit the Dutch press branch offices in New York and London,, and he Would remain in England until the end of the war. " , : " "