Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-04-24
DUTCH URGED To
FORT|FY STRAIT
IN EAST INDIA
Japanese UtteranCeS Regard
ing Important Waterway
Cause FeeIingof Uneasiness
in Netherlands.
(,ssocinted Press Correspondeuce,)

Rotterdam, Netherlands, April 10
The Nieute Rotterdam Couran
publishes two striking articles deal
ing recent japanese utterances con-
corning the Importance to Japan OF
Sunda strait, which separates the
Dutch East Indian islands of Java
and Sumatra. The strait Is regard.
ed by the Japanese publiclst, Yusabu-
70 Takekoshi as a key TO the defense
OF the Far East, and his comment on
the Importance of this position has
been the cause of some anxiety in
! the Netherlands.
! The Courant urges the Dutch
colonial authorities to proceed at once
| to fortify the Sunda strait, and "do
away with the uneasiness that weak
| neighl.or lying at the mercy of a
strong power must inspire IN Va
pan"
The paper continues: Far from
adopting an attitude of anxious and
timld standoffishness in regard to
Japan, let us do our best to improve
and extend our relations with that
country.
Jap Friendship Needed.
"The Netherlands must seek ia
pans friendship for its pupil Dutch
East India, and should freely respond
TO all endeavors toward rapproach-
ment on the part Of Japan, In the
Japanese she secs a great nation,
with immeasurable possibilities for
good. 1t is no use to look upon every
Japanese who comes to Java as a
spy"
II is pointed out that as colony
the Netherlands East indies would be
weak against a possible expansion or
annexation policy on the part of ia
pan or other states. Colonies are
out of date in eastern Asia. The
Dutch ideal is TO form an Indian state,
strong and prosperous, of which the
natives themselves are proud, which
they regard as their own country and
in defense of which they will he
found ready to shed their blood
Meanwhile, Holland has to see to 1t
that it is not disturbed,in this work by
foreign Intervention.
Dealing finally with the organiza-
ton of Dutch midas means of de-
Tending itself as being the most ur-
gent of all colonial questions the
Courant proceeds: THE Sunda strait
the entrance to the Indian seas. as
it is termed by japanese writers, lies
there, in this time Of violation of in
ternational law, at the mercy of the
first power which spurning morality.
might consider 1t in its interest to
seize this so highly important pass
age, The impotence to prevent this
must indeed. be regarded in Japan
as q continuous threat, and the pos
sibility ought to be reckoned with
that, in order to do away with this.
it might itself venture on this de-
cisive step and establish a naval base
there as YusaburoN Takekoshi pro-
poses.
Must Look to Future.
at Is true that, so long as the
war lasts, it's special relationship to-
the allies will presumably. keep it,
from taking this step. But at the
time Of the great alterations that will
be brought about in the territorial
distribution of the globe at the con-
tlusion of peace to assure to the
world o. new and lasting equipoise,
the Sunda strait might very well, II
found to be in an indefensible state
and in weak hands, be apportloned
to stronger keeper 1t is therefore
of the most urgent importance that,
when peace is concluded, the Neither
lands East Indies should be able to
declare that it is in a position to de-
fend itself and the Sunda strait If
japan sees that its interests are no
longer threatened by our weakness,
if it realizes the stuff its neighbor Is
made of, then-despite the disap-
pointment in the circles Of South sea
expansionists--the relationship be-
tween the two lands will be establish |
ed on a firm and excellent footing.
There is closing indirect refer
ence to America. ut might, per- |
haps. be WE'LL" says the Dutch paper |
Ito seek some support with another
power that has similar integests In
regard to Japan in the Far East, but
If this we're to be put forward as an
excuse for restraining our own pow
err to the utmost it would be harm |
full. III India wants to be pernla-
nently strong, it must be through the
use of its own strength and not