They believed the United States would strongly condemn such a Japanese move, although other quarters said the Japanese action might precipitate the long. thres-tened U.S. embargo on exports 10 Japan, They, however, said that the Government repeatedly had denied reports of plans between the United States, Britain and Holland or any one else for the United States to undertake the defence of the Dutch East Indies and other Asiatic territory, Oficials, nevertheless, did not deny that the United States were concerned over the maintenance of the status quo in the Dutch East Indies and "the Straits Seltlements, because they are sources of important war materials required by the United States—United Press, Italy Shows Stand Against Allies Rome, Apr. 16.
Reports are current that the Ist and 2nd Italian naval squadrons start-fed spring exercises yesterday. Om lat quarters here siate that no Information is available about the movements of ships. Actually both squadrons Move been on partial maneeuvres since the middle of March.
The apparent extent of the present manquvres is a cruise (o Durazzo by the Ist Squadron, and from Spenia to Gasla and round Sicily by the 2nd Squadron, In diplomatic elreles, it ts felt that the movements should be regarded as a measure to assist Germany by warning the Allies that the Mediter-Fanean cannot be depleted of units to reinforce those in the North Sen.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.