Under Japan's Shadow

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 159, 6 July 1940, Page 1 (Supplement)

Under Japan's Shadow

ByArpad Szigetvary

Generally known as a French colony, Indo-China is in reality a union of several distinct areas and forms of government. In that union there is only one actual French colony, Cochin-China, which was ceded to France by its King in 1 868. The other members are four protectorates — Cambodia, which came under French rule in 1863, Tonkin, 1884, Annam, 1 884, and Laos, 1893. Annam still has its native Emperor and Cambodia its King, while in Laos is included the kingdom of Luang Prabang. Although actually in China the leased territory of Kwang Chow-Wan half-way to Hongkong, is administered from Indo-China.

French influence in Indo-China began a* far back as 1787 when Pigneau de Behaine, Bishop of Adran, visualised how the conversion of the natives to Christianity could bring this part of Asia under the domination of France. Pigneau was not particularly successful in hie efforts, but he laid the foundation for others to work on, although the task of subjugation was by no meane pasy. When the natives, who had been] under nominal Chinese rule for centuries, saw their territories threatened by the French they appealed to China for aid. In response Chinese regulars poured into Indo-China and continually harassed the French, several times inflicting humiliating defeats upon them.

France's Victory Matters came to a head in 1884 aHer the French forces in Indo-China had been routed by the Chinese. France, using principallyher superior fleet, carried the war into China itself. In 1885 China save in. China recognised Tonkin and Annam as French protectorate?, but under the terms of the treaty France had to evacuate Formosa and the Pescadore Islands, which

eventually passed into Japanese hand: in 1895 as a result of another Chinesi defeat. With the exception of the I«.os thi natives of Indo-China can be regardec generally as a decadent race, poor sur vivors of a magnificent people who onci dwelt in marvellous cities where nov there is only dank jungle. Most of til Laos are hardy mountaineers and num ber amongst them survivors of th aborigine Chinese. With poor human material to wor] with France has done little to develo the vast potential resources of the country, among which are many commodities which the Japanese openly covet. Rice is by far and away the most important agricultural crop, although tea, cotton, rubber, cocoa, coffee, cinnamon, peanuts, sugar-cane, jute and tobacco are successfully produced, but in a most lackadaisical manner. Coal And Oil What is probably the finest coal in the Far East comes from the mines of Hongay. Although many thousands ot miles away, these mines are of special interest to New Zealand as many of the steamers owned by one of the P"ncipal mining interests and used for the transport of its coal are old Union Company vessels. Oil has been discovered, but not developed. Japan is in vital need of all the commodities mentioned, with the exception of coffee and cocoa. She and China do not produce the quantity of rice necessary for their peoples, yet practically at Japan's doorstep lies Annam, whicl is capable of producing no less than twe crops of rice a year without effort Production could be increased to meet Japan's needs. Japan produces con siderable quantities of coal of pool quality, a fact which prompts her desir* [to control the hard-coal of Hongay wit! I its excellent steaming qualities.

Arms For China Until recent weeks Indo-China was one of the bases for the supply of arms to China. These arm« a«d other war supplies were landed at Saigon and other ports to be transported by rail

to Nanning, in Yunnan, a Chinese province hitherto regarded as a French sphere of influence. Another route was by the old Mandarin road through the use of trucks. However, neither of these routes could be regarded as very important. The railway cannot be accepted as a tribute to engineering skill and rolling stock is scarce and inferior. As far as the road is concerned, it can best bp described as a nightmare. In proportion to the supplies of war material reaching China through Russia and Burma tho*e going through Indo-China were practically negligible. It is easy to understand why Japan is so desirous of obtaining possession of Indo-China. China proper and Manchuria produce no superfluous foodstuffs except soya beans in sufficient quantities |to meet Japan's needs. Even under

Japanese control China will probably need all her raw products for her own 1 needs. Japanese emigration to China and Manchuria, even although forced, has not been a success. In Indo-China Japan sees another outlet for her people. With all these factors Japan recognises this French territory as a potential Eldorado —to be had, many of her leaders appear to think, by merely moving in warships and troops now that poor France is prostrate. Although Indo-China is practically defenceless, there are other factors to be taken into consideration. Indo-China*s Strength Indo-China's army lias a peace strength of two regiments of Colonial Infantry, two battalions of the Foreign Legion, two regiments of artillery and [four native regiments of Tirailleurs. The native troops, composed chiefly of Annamcse (also known as Annamites) and Tonkinese, are notoriously poor fighting material. During the Boxer trouble in North China they proved no match for the Chinese troops. Since the war of

1914-18 the French naval force in IndoChina has been negligible. Two sloops of that - station have been frequently seen 'in Auckland, one or other annually docking at Devonport. There are naval bases at Camrah and Kwang Chow, where there is a magnificent bay, but naval bases are useless without vessels to occupy them.

Without an army and a navy of any real strength Indo-China is defenceless and therefore an easy prey for Japan from that aspect. However, there is the German attitude to such a prospect to consider. In the Gorman peace terms France was to be allowed to retain .sufficient naval vessels in active service ito protect her colonies adequately.

One may read in that a German desire to attempt to prevent the occupation of Indo-China by Japan.

One way of invoking possible aid from overseas which Indo-China could adopt would be to declare herself an independent country. In that case any nation which attacked her would automatically be branded as an aggressor 'nation—an act which the United States of America has consistently condemned.