Evening star., 1940-04-18
Hull
Continued From First Page )

terials, by declaring that any change
In their status quo would directly
affect the interests of many coun-
tries"
Taking cognizance Of Official Jap
anese expression OF concern for the
future of the islands should the
European war engulf the Neither
lands. Secretary Hull declared:
Intervention in the domestic af-
fairs of the Netherlands Indies or
any alteration of their status quo
by other than peaceful processes
would be prejudicial to the cause
Of stability. peace and security, not
only in the region of the Neither
lands Indies, but in the entire Pa
cific area"
Disclaim Designs.
Prompt official comment at Toxic
was that the Hull statement COIN
cided with Japanese Foreign Min
lister Arita's views on the subject.
An admiralty spokesman declared
that Japan had mo territorial de-
signs" on the Dutch possessions.
However, British, French and
American naval authorities in
Shanghai frankly considered a Jap
anese attempt to seize the Dutch
East Indies if Germany should in
wade the Netherlands was a "seri-
Gus possibility"
The Hull statement went beyond
the immediate situation in the Pa
ciflc area to urge again that poll
cies of force be abandoned" in every
part of the world and that peace be
maintained on such fundamental
principles as respect by every ma
ton for the rights of other nations
and non-intervention in their do
mestic affairs"
Mr.. Hulrs statement pointed out
the United States was one of many
countries that depended on the
Netherlands Indies for substantial
supplies OF important essential
commodities such as rubber, tin,
quinine, copra, ETC."
He called particular attention to
notes exchanged by this country
and Japan in 1908, in which the two
governments affirmed policies for
maintenance Of the existing status
quo in the Pacific, as well as specific
guarantees to the Netherlands by
the United States, Japan, Great
Britain and France in 1921 to respect
Dutch rights in that region.
The ruling political power in the
East Indies virtually since the first
Dutch explorer visited the islands in
1896, the Netherlands had given
their possessions more and more
self-government until today they
enjoy practically a dominion status.
Defense Efforts Sped.
Preparations for defense of the
Netherlands indies have proceeded
rapidly in recent years so that they
would be no push over" for any for
eign invader, military experts be-
lieve. They have built up a modern
air force. buying more than Sc, ,0O0,-
600 worth of arms, mostly fighting
planes, from the United States last
year. Another shipment of Amer
ican war planes valued at $685., ,264
went to the islands in February.
Their arms expenditures here for
the last three years are estimated at
more than SIG. 100000.
Aside from other essential COM
modities," the colonial empire is q
rich source of oil, which is vital to
the japanese military machine.
From the Indian Ocean eastward
into the Pacific the islands stretch
along the Equator for some 5000
miles. They have an area of 733,-
642 square miles and a populat ton
Of 60.731 ,025, mostly native. Lying
between the Asiatic mainland and
Australia, the islands are in q posi-
ton to control important trade
routes. American imports from
them last year were valued at $685.
$4,000.