, 1921-11-30
DUTCH ANXIOUS
OVER DECISION
OF FAR EASTERN
CLAIMS, REPORT
Own Interests in Pacific
Inspire Holland With
Desire to Assist Final
Settlement, Says Envoy
WASHINGTON. Nov. 80.

-(By The Associated Press.)
Because of her vital inter-
ests in the Far East, Holland
is DESTROYS of assisting in
every way in the settlement
OF problems relating TO that part OF
the world. Johkheer II A. Van Kane
beck. minister of foreign AFFAIRS Of
The Netherlands and delegate from
that country 10 the Washington con-
ference. told Tho Associated Press to-
day. in an interview.
I'VE have been very glad to come
10 the Washington conference" Jonk-
heer Van Karnebosk said, because.
although we have no. special engage-
ments In ~connccfion with China as
other power have and although we
are not interested IN quite tho sams
way as other powers arc in the Far
Eastern problems. stili everything
that affects the situation there may
be Of great Importance to US.
I'VE have Fl the Far East an EN-
pire OF more than so, 1000, 900 inhsbit-
ants covering an area equal to nearly
half OF Europe. That empire is the
source Of great riches not only to us
but TO h world at large. and realix-
ing this. the policy of the Netherlands
Is q liberal one. giving opportunities
to all foreign interests. The populn-
ton Of our East Indies is chiefly
composed OF people OF Mussulman
creed but there are also nearly 1.-ooo.-
900 Chinese. II one thinks of the Sig
nificance Of these colonies It Is easy
to understand that we watch very
closely the development of the discus
sion in the Washington conference.
Our policy is devoid of, any ambi-
ton standing in the way OF other
powors. except the ambition to hold
our own"
Asked about the prospective reor-
HThis program is the result OF an
inquiry OF a state commission and
provides means for the defense Of the
colonial empire and the fulfrimcnt Of
international obligations in case 1t
might be necessary to maintain the
neutrality of the state. As a result
Of this inquiry. Holland has given up
the idea Of building capital ships and
consequently has already bean moving
in the direction the Washington, con-
ference Is following now. Holland
is satisfied with a sufficient defen-
sive navy composed of small craft.
81 need not emphasize that there is
nothing aggressive in this reorgan-
nation Of the Dutch navy. Holland
wants to be a factor OF peace In the
world and believes in the fruitful eff
fects OF International cooperation.
She does not participate in the DELHI
erations OF the conference on arma-
ments and Is satisfied In not doing
SO, but II this conference Is extend
ing its scope Of activities to regula-
tons connected with tho conduct OF
war and the use OF means OF destruc-
ton, then the interests also OF states
which are not now in the conference
may become involved"
Referring to the first and second
Hague Conferences where he said all
powers were privileged to take. part
in alterations on the question Of
rules of warfare. Jonkheer Karnebeek
emphasized the opinion that It might
be a backward step II the laying down
OF such rules were undertaken by the
I'VE powers representa- in the arms
negotiations without the participation
of other nations.
Expressing a strong hope that the
conference would result in a lessen
ing Of world tension. the Netherlands
foreign minister declared that to
achieve this It must crusader the
great economic problem which lies
behind political problems and is al
ready a menace to the worlds well
fare"
This problem Is the real trouble
and there Is no use dealing with po-
litical questions when at the same
time the>e aspect is not taken
into consideration" he asserted.