CRISIS EXPECTED IN INDO-CHINA

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23129, 19 September 1940, Page 7

CRISIS EXPECTED IN INDO-CHINA

Reported Japanese Demands POSSIBLE SWING TO DE GAULLE (UNITED PEES 3 ASSOCIATION—COPTBIGHTIJ (Received September 19, 12.20 a.mJ LONDON, September 18. Newspapers in Hong Kong state that Major-General Nishihara, the head of the Japanese Military Mission in Indo-China, has presented Japan’s final demands to the Governor of Indo-China (Vice-Admiral Decoux). They are: (1) Indo-China to be divided into three sections, with Tonking under Japanese control and Annam as a buffer zone. The southern provinces would remain under French control. (2) The establishment of a Japanesa air base at Hanoi. (3) The establishment of a Japanesa naval base; also Japanese control in the northern sea belt. The Hanoi correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that the Japanese Consul-General has warned Japanese nationals, to prepare to leave Indo-China if French and Japanese relations deteriorate after the conference on the question of the entry of Japanese troops to French territory. He added that ships were going to Haiphong to evacuate Japanese. Although the evacuation of Hanoi has not been ordered officially, many Japanese have gone to Haiphong and eight minor members of the Japanese mission have gone to Canton by aeroplane. The French are prepared to continue the negotiations but they are equally determined to reject the Japanese re-, presentations if they are in the form of an ultimatum. A Shanghai message says that qualified observers express the opinion that a show-down will come this week when, possibly, Indo-China will swing to General de Gaulle, and appeal for British and American assistance. .The Japanese are withdrawing money from the banks. ' It is confirmed that a special tram was recently sent to the headquarters of King Bao Dai, Emperor of Annam, “awaiting instructions.” A message from Kewilin states that according to informed circles the Japanese and French negotiators at Hanoi have agreed to; (1) The landing of Japanese troops at Haiphong with passage only along the railway. (2) The landing of 30,000 Japanese only in order not to exceed twothirds of the French garrison in Tonki"|) The Japanese to use the Hanoi airfield. . . .. . The Japanese, however, are insisting on landing 120,000 men, for which rea. son the negotiations are dragging on. In an address in Tokyo, the Prime Minister (Prince Konoye) said; I think that Japan’s situation will become increasingly serious in the near future, for which reason-Japan s hundred million people must act as one in an effort to surmount this national emergency.” BRITISH ATTITUDE STATED (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, September 17, In the House of Lords, the Dominions Secretary (Lord Caldecote) made a short statement on the situation in Indo-China. “His Majesty’s Government has no definite information as to the course of proceedings, but in view of current reports to the effect that Japan has been pressing Indo-China to allow the passage of Japanese troops, the British Government has made it clear to the Japanese Government that it is interested in the maintenance of the status quo in that, area.” SUPPORT FOR DE GAULLE RIOTS REPORTED IN CASABLANCA (Received September 18, 7 p.m.) LONDON, September 17. The former Governor-General of Indo-China (General Catroux), who has joined General de Gaulle in London, has made an appeal to all Frenchmen all over the world to give their support -to General de Gaulle. He said that the fact that he was in London showed that he had placed himself in the best position to continue the struggle for free Frenchmen. The news of the armistice had come as a great surprise to the people of Indo-China. They were stupefied by the announcement and could not understand why the great French forces had not been employed against the enemy. “The Times” states that General Catroux, who conferred with the military authorities after his arrival in. London, refused to obey the orders of the Vichy Government. He is determined to fight with the Allies and his help and advice should be of the greatest value. He has spent almost his entire military career in the French colonies. , . , The Tangier correspondent of The Times” states that reports are reaching Algeciras, Ceuta, and Tangier of many riots at Casablanca and elsewhere as a result of clashes between supporters of Vichy and General de Gaulle. Many arrests have been made. Spanish troops are concentrating on the French Moroccan frontier as a precaution. GIFTS BY AMERICAN RED CROSS (Received September 18, 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON, September 17. The American Red Cross has spent almost 5,000,000 dollars on relief for Britain, most of it since the beginning of September. Twenty thousand dollars has just been cabled to assist in establishing 10 refugee cottages for poor children. Since July, the Red Cross has sent 102 relief shipments by British ships and two by clipper. None has been lost.