Tokyo, May 29.
The negotiations in Batavia between the Japanese and the Nether-ands East Indies are reported to have reached a "very critical" stage.
According to Japanese sources, 10 have elapsed without reply since th panese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Chuichi Ohashi, requested the Dutch Minister, General J, C. Pabst, on May 19 to ex-podite the economic talks at Batavia.
The Netherlands East Indies, these quarters point out, is taking an "anti. Japanese attitude as the international ation seemingly is turning favourable to Britain and the United States." These circles fear that the situation would take a serious turn unless the Netherlands East Indies reconsiders her attitude towards Japan.—
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"Lack of Sincerity"
Tokyo, May 29, The vernacular press today feared the trade talks between Japan ie Netherlands Fast Indies would e because the Dutch were ug a lack of sincerity.
The "Nichi Nichi" said that the alley had entered its "most crucial on account of the failure of NEI, to reply so far to the nese Government's "final noti-
The jou asserted that there was little hope at present of breaking the lock owing to the parleys' comture and the recent ing trend of the N.EI. toward ration on military. diplomatic amd economic matters with Britain and the United States, Whether the situation would be gravated depends on the attitude to she he N.EL, warned the lehi Nichi."—United Press.
A visitor to Basrah would be sured (in view of enemy broadcasts from Baghdad) to find the tow: peaceful, says an account received Simla oficial eye-witness at However, the presence of soldiers in the streets and of camps around Basrah and Ashahr indicate that these were troubled areas. The presence of strong forces of Indian troops at Basrah expedited the return of order, and the people have been able to resume their daily lives, says the report.
On May 7 steps were taken to restore order in Ashahr which had seen troops enter the town simultaneously by road and naval vessels early in the morning, and all important objectives were secured. By ihe following ly, the whole are: id been successfully occupied without further opposition. Behaviour of the troops in carrying out the operations was exemplary. Contact was established with the local Iraqi officials, and it was made clear to them that there was no question of the area being governed by the British. A provi-siena! Government was formed by the local population in Ashai Now, the admin: n of Basrah -Ashahr is functioning satisfac-
—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.