FORGE USED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 150, 26 June 1940, Page 8

FORGE USED.

JAPANESE TROOPS.

Cut Arms Supply Through Indo-China.

MOVEMENT OF FLEET. i United Press Association'.—Copyright. (Received 11.30 a.m.) - TOKYO, June 25. The Domei news agency says crack Japanese troops acted .forcefully on Juno 17 to cut the supply route from Indo-China to Chungking. It is not disclosed -whether: they entered IndoChina territory. The agency added that aerial observation convinced the Japanese 'that supplies were still in transit through Indo-China. Imperial Headquarters announced today that it has been arranged to dispatch part of tlie Japanese Fleet to South China waters to Haiphong, the port of Tongking provinces, French IndoChina, to "watch for the time being conditions and the transportation »f goods* to China through Indo-China." - ■Well-informed quarters in Tokyo believo Japan may attempt to i declare a protectorate over i the French and Netherlands territories in 1 the Orient, after discussions with Italy and Germany.

-Eesponsiblo Japanese eircles are concerned 'at • the chance i of. these colonies passing to tlio victors in Europe to the disadvantage of Japan.

It is understood the Japanese Foreign OHico is not. recognising General de Gaulle and the\ French National Committee in London, and is planning to deal directly with Indo-China. However, Japan will acquaint Italy and Germany of all moves.

-The Tokyo newspaper "Yomiuri j Shimbun" said the Japanese Government i was following up the recent protests against. tho transportation of supplies to Chungking ' through Indo-China, Burma and Hongkong with "fresh representations" to Italy, France and Britain for "correction of the . pro-Chiang character of the foreign, concessions."

Tho Japanese Foreign Office an- j nounced that 24 officials, including Major-General Issaku Nisliihara, will shortly depart to inspect Indo-China as the ■ result of French permission. It was stated that meanwhile Army and Navy units will proceed to Hanoi from Canton. Tho inspection would reveal tho categories : of goods to be prohibited (from transfer, to China.

It -was further announced that pending the experts' decision on the categories of banned goods, the GovernorGeneral of Indo-China will continue the general closure of the frontier.'

Neutral sources in Tokyo state that Japan has demanded that Britain should permit the stationing of Japanese inspectors in Burma to enforce the ban on the arms .traffic to China, terminate trade between Hongkong and the Chinese hinterland, and withdraw British- interests, including troops, from the Shanghai' International Settlement. The correspondent of the Domei news agency at Shumchun says a Japanese military officer yesterday vigorously protested-at the -British manoeuvres,, on; Sunday afternoon near the Hongkong border.. He said they caused great difficulties for the Japanese opera; tidns in that area. This activity was hard to understand, and could be taken I only as an indication of British intention to interfere with Japanese military action.....'-. -■- .'■.'•■•.

A message from Hongkong, however, says' that a. British Army officer denies that there was any Japanese protest against Sunday. afternoon's manoeuvres near Hongkong.