London, Apr. 21.
"In informed circles in London, it is felt that there is no need to fear ihat the status quo in the Pacific Will be disturbed," declares the Diplomatic Correspondent of the "Sunday Times."
"This is supported by authoritative Dutch opinion, which says there is no reason whatever to assume that a change in the status of the Dutch East Indies would be imminent or unavoidable if Holland should be involved in war. In the Dutch East Indies, the same policy is adhered io as in Holland itself—that independence shall be defended against any attack.
"There is no doubt that the islands could successfully hold out against any surprise action unless made with overwhelming forces. For Japan," the correspondent states, "a concentration of such forces, far away from their main bases, would not be an easy matter.
"Meanwhile, the presence in the Pacific of the greater part of the American Navy, and the British Pacific Fleet, with its powerful base at Singapore, can be considered as a stabilizing factor, "In Dutch circles," the correspondent adds, "it is felt that in order to maintain the status quo, Holland can do no better than keep to its traditional policy of the Open Door in the Fast Indies, and their defence against all attacks and in all circumstances. Speculations about what would happen if Japan seized the Dutch East Indies, are, therefore, rather off the mark."—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.