TIMOR ISLAND

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22156, 27 December 1941, Page 4

TIMOR ISLAND

Vital Importance Concern In Australia SYDNEY, December 20. Although the Commonwealth Government is at present making no statement regarding the landing of Australian and Dutch troops in Timor it is no secret that for some months there has been concern regarding Japanese activities in this area. Observers have stressed the point that the establishment of a Japanese base in Portuguese Timor would be a very grave threat to Australia. The strategic importance of the island of Timor, only 400 miles north of Australia, received little attention until the Japanese began to send rurvey flying-boats to the island in January, 1941. Then, when a commercially unnecessary air service was established by the Japanese between Timor and Palao shortly before Japan entered the war, interest changed to alarm. Half the island is owned by the Dutch, and half by the Portugu. 3. The Dutch have been in possession for more than 300 years and the Portuguese for more than 400 years. Few Europeans In the 18th century there was mucn fighting on the island between the Portuguese and the Dutch, and there have been frequent boundary disputes, which were not finally resolved _ntfi 1904. Timor has a population of about 800,000, of whom 450,000 are in Portuguese Timor. There are few Europeans. The native population, a very mixed race, is probably Malayo-Papuan-Polynesian. The Portuguese have had on the island a small army of about 400 men, equipped with Winchester and Beaumont rifles. Dilll, capital of the Portuguese colony, is the only port of consequence in the Portuguese half of the island. Ships of 2000 tons may anchor near the shore, and smaller ships can moor alongside a j.tty. The principal export is coffee of a high quality, and payment of export duties on this product is one of the Government's mam sources of revenue. Other products are copra, rubber, maize, rice, cotton and sandalwood. In recent years the Japanese have shown increasing interest in the economic possibilities of Portuguese Timor. Reports were current in 1932. and again in 1934, that they were trying to purchase the Portuguese part of the island. Japanese Money During the last four years Japanese ships have paid regular visits to the territory, and Japanese financial interests have acquired an Interest in agricultural enterprises, particularly in Sociedade Agricola Patrla e Trabalhj, which controls the greater part of the trade of the colony. • An agreement was concluded earlier this year between the Portuguese and Japanese Governments for the inauguration of a Japanese air service between Dilli and the Japanese island of Palax In the meantune the Australian Government, alarmed at the survey flights which had been made, arranged that Dilli should be included as a stopping place once a fortnight for the flyingboats of Quantas Empire Airways plying between Darwin and Singapore. In addition, there is a Portugueseoperated air service between Dilli and Koepang. capital of Dutch Timor.