AGREEMENT SIGNED

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23394, 30 July 1941, Page 7

AGREEMENT SIGNED

Bases For Japan In Indo-China CAM RANH BAY OCCUPIED (Received July 29, 11 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON, July 29. The French-Japanese protocol giving Japan the use of strategic areas in French Indo-China was signed this mornihg. The first clause of the protocol says the two governments agree to co-operate militarily for the common defence of Indo-China. A message received in London said the great naval base of Cam Ranh Bay, which is large enough to accommodate all the navies of the world, was occupied by the Japanese to-day. It is officially, stated in Hanoi that the occupation of Indo-China by Japanese troops started on the Annam coast at the Nha Treng air base, north of Cam Ranh Bay. The Government announced that it had agreed to turn over eight air bases to Japan, including Tourarie and Nha Treng, on the Annam coast, Soc Trarig (in IndoChina), Bien Hoa and Tanson N’Hut (near Saigon), Siemreap and Pnom Penh (in Cambodia), and Kompohtrach (on th. south-west coast). The announcement omitted all previous allusions to British and Chinese threats against Indo-China,, and declared that Japan had asked for these concessions on behalf of her own interests. It is felt' in Saigon that the Japan-

ese occupation will be accomplished peacefully. Rumours of incidents between Japanese and French civilians are groundless. It is understood that the Government is placing at the disposal of the Japanese most of the Saigon port installations. The French Chamber of Commerce, one of the finest buildings, is. being taken over to house the Japanese staff. Several barracks in the vicinity of Saigon are expected to house troops. It is reported that the FrancoJapanese agreement guarantees that the Japanese will not touch French military installations, including the coastal batteries. The Madrid correspondent of the "Daily Mail” says more French officers and leading citizens who are believed to have opposed the French surrender in Indo-China have been arrested under orders from the Vichy Government. Discontent is specially great in the army. Several generals called on Marshal Retain on Sunday, and protested against the detention of their brother officers. They complained about the disappearance of Generals Grussard and Duran. ' Conference In Washington The United States Senate has endorsed Mr Roosevelt’s policy in the Far East by approving the appointment of Lieutenant-General Douglas Mac Arthur as Commander-in-Chief of the new United States Army in the Far East. ‘ „ The United States War Office announces that 16 officers are leaving the United States by air for Manila. An Associated Press message from Washington says Mr Roosevelt is returning to Washington from his country home to discuss the Far Eastern situation with Administration and defence chiefs. It is considered that further steps to forestall Japanese moves in the Pacific may be announced. Britain and the United States are collaborating in keeping a close touch on the situation in the Far East. The British Commonwealth and the United States are pursuing parallel courses. This was announced yesterday by Mr Sumner Welles, the United States Under-Secretary of State, who said that the two countries were conferring in secret, together with other nations. Mr Welles said the Latin-American countries were free to act in any way they deemed advisable in connexion with economic measures against Japan. He declined to indicate whether American oil shipments to Japan would be stopped or to say whether Japan was seeking military concessions in Thailand. Plan for Co-operative Policy The United States Administration expects that loopholes in the economic front against Japan will be closed by the Lafln-Amorfcan countries taking action parallel with the United States, although >Mr Welles In his statement said thes? countries were tree to act in any way they deemed advisable. It is known that officials in Washington are developing a nlan for a co-opera-tive policy. This \Vill prevent Japan importing from South America goods she is- unable to obtain from the United States and elsewhere. ... Lieutenant-General Mac Arthur issued

a warning that his forces were ready for any eventuality and would defend American interests in the Far East, whatever the cost and effort. The British Ambassador (Lord Halifax) saw Mr Welles and discussed with him the'economic measures which were being taken against Japan. The Saigon correspondent of the Japanese Domei News Agency states that the Straits Settlement Government is greatly alarmed on account ol the rapidly changing world situation. It recently ordered a considerable number of British troops to move towards the border regions. It is said that mines have been laid at Singapore and in other waters, and that parts of the British Fleet have begun patrol action. The United States State Department has announced that Japanese ships may enter United States ports without fear of detention. About 40 Japanese merchant ships of all types were reported at the week, end to be standing-to in harbours in South America, awaiting orders. They had been warned by Tokyo not to enter United States ports on any account. The Tokyo correspondent of the British United Press states that a near panic spread among traders on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The Government has ordered the Official Securities Company to advance funds to check tumbling prices. Vs Painted on Consulates. —The police in Honolulu report that big V's for victory were found painted on the walls of the Japanese Consulate and the former German Consulate.—Honolulu. July 28.