Evening star., 1945-04-10

consequences. Lowell Meliett.
Just now emphasis is being placed
on our policy with relation to the
Dutch East Indies. What lot OF
Americans want to know is who is
going to do the fighting necessary
to get those islands back for the
Dutch" shouts an editorial spokes-
man for this trouble making group
adding, IF we are to take back the
East Indies and then hand them
to the Dutch on silver platter or
otherwise, it will cost us a lot OF
extra casualties
Maybe now it can be told that the
Dutch are going to do that fight
ing, If any fighting is required, as
1t probably will be. The Dutch may
have some assistance from the Brit
ish, since the British will have near
by Malaga to disinfect of japanese
invaders and the two tasks may be
joined. But it won't be our job. It
won't take the lives of our boys.
About Neutralized.
This isn't official informa ton and
~ doesn't divulge any military or
political secret. 1t is mere recog-
milton of the fact that there can be
no purpose in the use of American
troops in the Dutch East Indies
The japanese troops there ere or
soon will be neutralized so far as
our war against Japan is concerned.
They are virtually cut of from the
homeland now, incapable of giving
any important aid to Japan's last
desperate resistance. Developments
might have been different. Conceiv-
ably there could have been sItua-
ton in which it would nave been
necessary to liquidate those far-ex-
tended japanese forces in order to
carry our war to Japan, but hap
PLY that situation does not exist.
The islands have been by-passed
and the invaders left stranded. In
due time the Dutch will do what
they can about them.
Why doesn't the administration
say all this. If it's true? 1 don't
know: I don't even know it is true !.
I only know it is obvious. But it is
equally obvious why it hasn't been
said earlier. Until the nature Of our
Pacific strategy in this respect be-
came clear it surely was useful to
leave the japanese in doubt, useful
to have them share the inflamed
reasoning of our enemies here at
home. useful to have them retain
considerable strength in the Dutch
islands to meet the Yanks who
weren't coming.
When and if the Dutch regain
their islands what will they do with
them? That apparently will be up
to the Dutch. but we've indicated
what we would do in similar circum-
stances. A year ago Secretary Hull
made this simple, understandable
statement:
There rests upon the independent
nations a responsibility in relation
to dependent peoples who aspire to
liberty. 1t should be the duty of ma
tions having political ties with such
peoples, of mandatories, of trustees,
or of other agencies, as the case may
be, to help the aspiring peoples to
develop materially and educational
ly. to prepare themselves for the
duties and responsibilities of self
government, and to attain liberty.
An Excellent Example.
IAN excellent example Of what can
be achieved is afforded in the record
of our relationship with the Philip
pines"
Last June Vice President Wallace
concluding a visit to Chun8king as a
special emissary of the President
Joined with Generalissimo Chang
in a statement of mutual agreement
on basic principles and objectives
Enduring peace in the Pacific, the
statement said, would depend, among
other things, on:
Recognition of the fundamental
right Of now dependent Asiatic peo-
pies to self f-government. and the