JAPAN MOVES TROOPS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23401, 7 August 1941, Page 7

JAPAN MOVES TROOPS

Forces on Thai Border

BOMBERS AT NEW AIR BASE

(Received August 6, 11 p.m.) (U.P.A.) LONDON, August 6.

A Japanese convoy of troops and guiw 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 border of Indo-China and Thailand. Japanese artillery and light armoured units which arrived at Pnom Penh at the week-end have left for an undisclosed destination.

Travellers from Thailand report heavy concentrations of Thai infantry and artillery along the Indo-China border.

It was officially announced in Bangkok yesterday that tank headquarters for Thailand’s eastern armed forces have been established at Battambang, which is in the Cambodia area recently ceded by Indo-China, and only 33 miles from Siemreap, at which Japanese forces were established on Monday. Contingents of mechanised troops have aready been dispatched to Battambang. The Bangkok correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain stated that Thai officials do not deny that Japan is bringing pressure to bear on Thailand to grant certain demands. The general impression is that Thailand is facing a momentous decision on relations with Japan, Britain, and the United States. The correspondent reports that banking circles in Bangkok confirmed the previous announcement from Tokyo of a credit of 10,000,000 bahts to finance Japanese trade with Thailand. The three banks are being assisted by Government funds. It was explained that the Thailand-Japanese trade balance in recent month's has greatly favoured Thailand, which has been selling large quantities of rice, tin, and rubber to Japan. 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. Pressure on Thailand

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 America. The Japanese press hails the bank credit and the recognition of Manchukuo as signifying Thailand’s willing entry into the new order. The Tokyo 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 Tokyo newspaper “Kokumm reiterated to-day, in line with the general trend (Sf the press, the creation of a greater East Asia co-pros-perity sphere, in which Japan counts the Netherland 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 fTapan a credit of 10,000,000 bahts and recognising Manchukuo. In doing so,” says <the “Kokumin.!’ “Thailand has admitted that she is a member of the co-pros-Deritv” * There is no confirmation in London of a Saigon report that a large, well-equipped Chinese detachment hgs 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 ne had not been informed of- such a concentration but it would be a logical development of China’s determination to aid any action against the Japanese. ' 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 Tokyo 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 Japanese Gpvernment has announced that it is doubling the marine war risk insurance rate. * British Preparations

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 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.

An agency message from Singapore states that large reinforcements of British and Indian troops, Royal Air Force personnel, naval ratings, marines, and engine-room artificers have arrived there from a British port by way of Bombay, where Indians, largely gunners, were picked up. The Maharajah of Patiala was also aboard. He is on a tour of Indian troops at Malayan stations. . Day and night exercises of air raid precautions work will shortly be rehearsed. A black-out has 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 of! 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. A message from Washington says that Mr Samuel Dickstein, speaking in the United States House of Representatives yesterday, said that American citizens were being molested and pushed round by the Japanese authorities at Shanghai, “We are letting the Japanese here alone and I for one think we are being too easy he added.