DUTCH ARE AT WAR WITH JAPAN
The Dutch East Indies declared war on Japan following the Japanese attacks against the United Kingdom and United States in December 1941. The colony mobilised its forces, interned Japanese nationals and prepared to defend its strategically important oil resources. Dutch officials expressed confidence in their aircraft, submarines and strengthened defences.
DUTCH ARE AT WAR WITH JAPAN
BATAVIA, Monday (A.A.P.) — The Dutch East Indies are at war with Japan. Mobilisation has been ordered and a state of air danger proclaimed.
Announcing this to-day, the Governor-General told the people of the Dutch East Indies by radio that the sudden Japanese attack on Britain and United States aimed at establishing Japanese hegemony in the south and south-east Pacific.
‘The Dutch East Indies, therefore, accepts the Japanese challenge and takes arms against Japan,’ he said.
All Japanese subjects in the Indies are being interned.
Dutch Consul's Statement
SYDNEY. — The Netherlands East Indies, rich in oil, food and raw materials, stands ready to meet Japanese aggression, declared the Consul-General for the Netherlands (Mr. T. Schuurman) to-day.
‘We have been expecting the war in the Pacific to break out. Now it has come we stand firm to our rights and beliefs,’ he said.
‘The Japanese have been good enough to make our task easier. They have tackled the U.S. instead of probably confusing matters by starting the war in a roundabout fashion.
‘The richest gems in the Pacific diadem, which Japan covets, the tropical islands of the Dutch East Indies, will be no “pushover.” They are well prepared for the war, which most regarded as inevitable.’
Mr. Schuurman said that it was well known that the local Government had moved bases from Java to the outlying islands. These would be used as a first line airscreen for objects, mainly oilwells, which the Japanese might attempt to bomb. On this necklet of defence bases, the Dutch have squadrons of the latest types of American planes, including the Brewster Buffalo fighter, the Glenn Martin bomber and Catalina reconnaissance flying boats.
Special precautions have been taken against parachute troops, but the islanders do not fear these so much as a naval attack.
Few parts of the rich islands are suitable to mass air landing, but the coastline is more or less open to naval bombardment, if the Japanese warships are allowed to get within range.
Many Submarines
The Netherlands East Indies, like Australia, has a small but effective navy. It will be an excellent unit to work in cooperation with the British and United States Navies.
Its most interesting strength lies in the considerable number of submarines which, for some time, have been in operation around the islands.
The lay-out of the East Indies is particularly helpful to submarine work, Mr. Schuurman pointed out.
The channels through which aggressive fleets must pass are narrow, and there are hundreds of islands from which submarines and bombing planes can operate.
After the fall of Holland, the colony began to build and buy at top speed. Buying agents were sent to America and Australia and to all Allied or friendly countries where war goods could be purchased.
When trade negotiations with Japan broke down under the weight of one-sided demands, the defence preparations were further speeded. More planes and guns were bought and more men trained for land, sea and air defence.
‘Our men in the islands are good fliers and they have good planes,’ he said.