Vietminh Attack In South Laos

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27402, 15 July 1954, Page 11

Vietminh Attack In South Laos

PARIS, July 13. For the first time in the seven-year-old Indo-China war. Vietminh troops have attacked the Mekong river city of Pakse, in southern Laos, near the Siamese border, according to military reports received in Paris tonight. Vietminh gunners attacked the city of 30.000 inhabitants with mortar fire, while other Communist units ambushed a French column south of the city. The damage in Pakse was described as light, but the ambush was reported to have been “a fairly serious affair.” Further details were still awaited. Vietminh troops also continued .their week-old attacks against French military posts in central Annam, where French troops abandoned a post near Quang Nam. about 13 miles south of Tourane. The first reaction to the Pakse fighting in military quarters in Paris was that the Vietminh appeared to be trying to stake a claim that they controlled part of southern Laos.

Second Labour Group To Visit China (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, July 13. Plans were being made for a second British labour and trade union delegation to pay a goodwill visit to Communist China in October, the BritishChina Friendship Association said today. Mr Attlee, the Labour Party chief, Mr Aneurin Bevan. Labour Left-wing leader, and six other front-rank Socialists are going to Peking in August at the invitation of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs. The secflnd delegation announced today is expected to consist of about 15 Labour members of Parliament and trade unionists.