ON THAI BORDER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 253, 7 August 1941, Page 5

ON THAI BORDER

JAPANESE TROOPS MOVED. BOMBERS AT NEW AIR BASE PRESSURE HAS SOME EFFECT (United Press- Association —Copyright.) LONDON, August G. A large Japanese convoy of troops and guns has been seen moving west from Saigon and it is reported that some Japanese troops have already arrived at a town on the border between Indo-China and Thailand. The occupation of a town near the border by two Japanese army units was announced by the Japanese Domei News Agency. Many Japanese heavy bombers arrived yesterday at the recently acquired air base at Pnom. Penh, in Cambodia, on the bor-' der of Indo-China and Thailand. Japanese artillery and light armoured units which arrived at Pnoh Penh at the week-end have left for an undisclosed destination. Travellers from Thailand report heavy concentrations of Thai infanti y and artillery along the Indo-China border.

A Bangkok message says the publication of a telegram from the Thai Prime Minister (Luang Bipul Songgram) to the Prime Minister of Manchukuo (General Chang Chinghui) officially confirms Thailand’s recognition of Manchukuo.' ; Japanese pressure has succeeded in effecting a small breach between Thailand’s avowed policy and actual practice, says Reuter’s Bangkok correspondent. Whether the breach will be speedily widened depends on whether America appreciates the urgent need of , help for Thailand to avert ultimate tragedy. Willingly or not, Thai bankers have accommodated the Yokohama Specie Bank to enable Japan, to face the freezing of Japanese assets by Arnerica. The Japanese press hails the bank credit and the recognition of Manchukuo as signifying Thailand’s willing entry into the new order. Japanese Official View. The Tokio correspondent of the “New York Times” reports that the official point of view in Japan was explained to-day by the spokesman for the Japanese Cabinet’s Information Bureau (Mr Ishii), who disclaimed any Japanese desire for a joint defence agreement with Thailand similar to the agreement between Vichy and Indo-China. All Japan wanted was close economic co-operation with Thailand, in which the baht may be linked with the yen. As for Japanese troop movements, Mr Ishii explained they were designed to occupy strong points of the country for adequate defence, nothing more. The Tokio newspaper “Kokumin” reiterated to-day, in line with the general trend of the press, the creation of a greater East Asia co-pros-perity sphere, in which Japan counts the Netherlands East Indies. It added: “Our own people are greatly concerned over Thailand, because, like French Indo-China, she is placed under merciless pressure from Britain, the United States, and Chungking, and so much so that her national security is threatened. Thailand has reacted to the new situation by advancing Japan a credit of 10,000,000 bahts. and recoghising Manchukuo. In doing so,” says the “Kokumin,” “Thailand has admitted that she is a member of the co-pros-perity.”

There is no confirmation in London of a Saigon report that a large, well-equipped Chinese detachment has arrived on the Burmese frontier and is prepared to cross immediately to join the British in preventing the Japanese cutting ■ the Burma road. A Chinese spokesman in London said he had not been informed of such a concentration but it would be a logical development of China’s determination to aid any adtion against the Japanese. British Preparations. In spite of Japan’s serious internal economic condition, it is believed that the southward drive will continue, as Thailand is unlikely to resist Japanese action, reports the Shanghai correspondent of the British United Press. Travellers arriving from Tokio say that the torrential rains in July ruined thousands of acres of riceland in Japan and destroyed enormous quantities of food in warehouses which collapsed during the storm. Iron fencing, railings, and gates have been removed from buildings, and sunken wrecks have been raised in an effort to meet the scrap shortage. The Manila correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that heightened by large reinforcements of British, Imperial, and Indian troops, reports of Britain’s state of military preparedness in and about Malaya reached a new high peak yesterday, and the belief grew in informed circles that the British are preparing for swift moves to control key points in Thailand, possibly forestalling open Japanese encroachment. Day and night exercises of air raid precautions work will shortly • he rehearsed. A black-out lias been rehearsed on a big scale, and emergency equipment tested. The Netherlands Navy in the East Indies is increasing its personnel and the number of its torpedo-carrying aircraft. New American aircraft that have been tested have given great satisfaction. The Japanese are blockading British concessions in China, according to reports from Hong Kong and Shanghai. From a pontoon moored off Shameen, Japanese officers examined all vessels approaching and leaving the British Concession. Japanese in Shanghai describe the blockade move as a reprisal for British economic measures against Japan. The Japanese have seized the small United States oil tanker Meiyo, owned by the Standard Oil Company.