Evening star., 1940-04-18
British and French
In Far East Prepare
To Defend Indies
Jupunese Move to Seize
Dutch Islands Is Held
Serious Possibility
BY the Associated Press.

oy the associated Press.
SHANGHAI, April 18.-British
and French forces in the Far
East were making ready today for
any eventuality - including the
chance of Japanese attempt to
seiez the Netherlands Indies in
event of a German invasion Of the
Netherlands.
Authorities of the American fleet
IN Asiatic waters joined the allies
IN the comment that such action
by Japan is serious possibility"
A neutral naval observer in
Shanghai declared that thrust by
Japan into the Netherlands Indies
would result in Japan's entering
the war on the side of Germany.
IF the Japanese decide that the
probabilities favor their success they
may occupy the islands, using the
same excuse as Adolf Hitler used in
Denmark and Norway" this OBJ
server said, referring to the German
explanation that the Scandinavian
countries were invaded for their own
protection"
IF Japan could be certain that
Russia would not jump on her back
1t is highly possible that the Japa-
nese would act" he said.
Factors Favoring Stroke.
Naval officials said several factors
favor the possibility of a lightning
Japanese stroke to parallel any
German drive into the Netherlands.
First, they contended, it is Japan's
"unconcealed ambition" to gain con-
troll of the Indies oil, rubber and
tin supplies to achieve independence
OF other sources Of supply.
IF the East Indies could be
grabbed in swift, successful stroke
Japan's dream of dominating the
Western Pacific and the ousting of
European colonial powers would be
well on the way toward realization
overnight" one observer said.
The Japanese Navy, in contrast to
the japanese Army, this source went
on, has not been weakened directly
by the war in China. The navy was
pictured as 'cocky and full of fight"
and as believing that its "easy land
ings in China could be duplicated
in the East Indies"
THE navy likewise apparently is
convinced that the East Indies could
be subjugated before the British
French forces could swing into ac-
tion, therefore the present is the
most auspicious for a Japanese
gamble.
Proponents of action by Japan
also probably believe that if quick
coup is accomplished, and the Amer
lean public is presented with a fait
accompli, the United States will not
retaliate."
Agents Reported Active.
There were reports that japanese
political agents have been active in
shaping up an anti-Dutch campaign
among East Indian natives. Thou
sands of the natives were said to
belong to pro-Japanese and pan
Asiatic societies.
Foreign experts in Shanghai ex-
pressed the opinion that Japan
would have better than an even
chance of success, even considering
the possibility of heavy losses.
They said Japan would have to use
several squadrons of cruisers, plus
destroyers, submarines, aircraft car
riers and transports to smash
through British and French sub
marines, cruisers and destroyers now
based at Honk Kong and in French
1ndo-China, flanking Japan's 1000
mile line of communications south
ward from Formosa.
Moreover, all strategic harbors of
the Netherlands Indies are mined
and the East Indies defense force
could put up fight with its 13 SUBJ
marines, six destroyers, two cruisers
and a strong, American trained air.
force using American planes.
The figures on the Dutch defense are
estimates.
Deterring Factors.
The foregoing are the immediate
tactical factors. Three other con-
siderations in the field of broad
strategy were pointed out as deter
rents:
l. The prospect that sporadic
fighting, such as has for years dis
turbed the common boundaries of
the japanese and Russian Empires,
might be resumed at any time.
2. The possibility that Japan would
not wish to become a war ally of
Germany against the British and
French.
3. The chance that the United
States might act to protect its COM
munications and trade lines to the
Philippines and it's sources of raw
materials in the Indies or, broadly,
move to preserve the status quo in
the Pacific.