The Hague, Jan. 26.
"The nation is entirely benind the Government in its neutrality policy," declared the Foreign Minister, Dr. van Kleffens, in the First Chamber of the States General in replying to a debate in which Mr. Winston Churchill's broadcast speech last Saturday received considerable criticism, The Minister added that the action being taken against violations of neutrality was strictly in accordance with international law.
"The Netherlands, in fulfilling their neutrality," he asserted, "have a duty towards Europe, because if Holland and Belgium enter the war it would complicate it. Whoever takes up arms against us will be met with armed force."
Dr. van Kleffens said the juridical obligations of neutrals as members of the League of Nations to take part in the war had recently been raised, but he denied sharply that any juridical and moral obligation was involved.
Membership of the League, he proceeded, might in the long run become impossible if its unilateral character continued, but the moment for small nations to leave the League had not yet arrived. Hope that the League might take on new life was not yet excluded.
The Netherlands and Belgium, the Foreign Minister stated, formed an element of order and quietness in Europe. They trusted in well-founded promises, and in opinion abroad that the position of the Netherlands in Europe and Asia would not allow any great Power to see their territory in other hands.
Dr. van Kleffens asked if the time had not arrived for a just and wise settlement of European affairs; He deprecated the lighthearted way in which the possibility of attacks on neutral countries was being discussed.—Reuter, The report, in fact, shows how Japan would be "hamstring" should any development interrupt her normal commerce with the United States. The statement recalls that in recent years Japan has ranked third in the trade of the United States, both as a buyer and seller.
Japan accounts between seven and eight per cent. of American imports and exports, while the United Siates supplies 34 per cent. of Japan's total imports, and buys between sixteen and twenty per cent, of the total Japanese exports, As Japan's exports within the yen bloc (trade which brings no foreign currency) are between 40 and 50 per cent, of the total, it is clear, the statement proceeds, that her exports to the United States constitute an important source of foreign currency with which to buy raw materials.
The statement also shows that the United States supplies Japan with approximately 56 per cent, of her essential requirements for her heavy industry, 40 per cent, of her raw cotton, 40 per cent of her metals, 50 per cent, of her machinery, and 65 per cent. of her petroleum.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.