Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The Far East, Volume IV

740.0011 Pacific War/1213: Telegram

The Ambassador to the Netherlands Government in Exile (Biddle) to the Secretary of State

London, December 17, 1941—7 p.m.
[Received December 17—1:35 p.m.]

Netherlands Series 62. Gerbrandy⁷⁰ tells me Dutch and Australian forces have occupied Timor today despite remonstrances from local Portuguese authorities but things are now quiet there.

He adds that while they had sought to deal with Portuguese Government as decently as possible regarding this matter, they were determined that Timor should not become a menace. Evidence of the danger is the fact that recently two Japanese submarines were in the vicinity, one of which was sunk by Australian forces. It is their intention to hold Timor merely as trustees but they expect their action to lead to a violent outburst from the Portuguese Government.

[

Biddle

]

70. P. S. Gerbrandy, President of the Netherland Council of Ministers, London.