Evening star., 1942-02-28
Steps 10 Broaden
Dutch Territories
Autonomy Reported
Areas Would Remoin
In Empire Framework.
Dr.. loudon Declares
BY BLAIR BOLLEs.

DR.. Alexander Loudon, the Meth
erlands Minister to the United
States. disclosed today In an inter-
view that his government already
has taken steps aimed at the intro
duction Of postwar reforms to fos-
ter limited political emancipation
Of the overseas territories in the
Dutch Empire-the embattled East
Indies and the Western Hemisphere
areas OF Curacao and Surinam.
The future relations of Western
powers and their Oriental colonies
have become the topic Of spirited
discussion as result of the course
Of war in the Far East.
Minister Loudon made 1t plain
that the proposed extension of au-
tonomy will keep the territories
within the Netherlands present
structure, whose regions are gov
erned according to the general pre-
cepts In the Constitution of 1922.
Almost at the same time a publica-
ton Of the American Government.
The Agricultural Situation" ap-
peared here with an article praising
the Netherlands colonial policy as
an example Of enlightenment.
Certain Of Retaining Indies.
Certain reforms with regard to
the political emancipation of the
Netherlands overseas territories
within the existing framework of
the Netherlands constitution have
been under discussion for some
time" DR.. Loudon said. 1t was
learned that the program of discus
sion Leading to the contemplated
empire reforms was outlined in full
within the Netherlands government
IN London on January IS, although
the course of the war may postpone
the contemplated action.
DR.. Loudon rejected all suspes-
lions that the Eastern empire of
the Netherlands may be lost as
result OF the war. He is sure that
there will be q Dutch East indies
to which the reform plan can be
applied.
:! am convinced" the Minister
said, despite the news from Bali
that the Japanese never will sue
ceeo In obtaining q permanent foot.
mold IN the Dutch East Indies"
Progress Cited.
The Netherlands East Indies often
mas declared its intention of achiey-
ing maximum autonomy within the
structure of the empire, and in an
tlcipation Of such a status has stead
lily extended the sphere of native
participation in the territory,s ad-
imlnistration, a semi official Neither
lands report states. DR.. Loudon drew
attention to q memorandum of the
Netherlands government.
since 1922 the spiritual and ma
terlal development of these over
seas territories have been unusually
rapid. In consequence the thoughts
OF the motherland and the Indies
IN and outside their representative
bodies, during the latter years have
been especially focused on constit,,-
tional measures for q greater eman-
cipation within the empire of these
overseas territories.
The excellent attitude and spirit
ual energy which these parts dis
played under the leadership of their
governors and Notwithstanding the
rupture of their ties with the moth
erland now under Nazi occupation)
are proofs in these times of
their ability to stand on their own
legs-have stimulated the processes
OF spiritual and political emancipa-
ton in ever-growiPg groups of over
seas populations.
The program leading to the
changes called first for preliminary
conference to submit re-
ports; second, meeting of a COM
mittee to consider the reports; third,
action by the Netherlands govern
ment on the committee recommen-
and finally, after the war is
over. an imperial conference to
work out the master plan for what
ever changes are agreed to by this
slow, careful Dutch process.