NAVAL BASE OCCUPIED

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 260, 30 July 1941, Page 7

NAVAL BASE OCCUPIED

Japanese In IndoChina

VICHY STATEMENT ON AGREEMENT

LONDON, July 29.

Japanese forces today occupied the important naval base at CamRanh Bay, on the east coast of French Indo-China.

The Vichy Government announced that the Japanese would occupy two points on the IndoChinese coast and several points in the interior. The delivery of rice from Indo-China to Japan was one of the essential points of the agreement between the two countries. The announcement omitted all previous allusions to British and Chinese threats against Indo-China, and declared that Japan asked for these concessions on behalf of her own’ interests.

It is officially announced in Hanoi that Japanese troops began disembarking in southern Indo-China yesterday. The strength of the Japanese forces being landed is not disclosed, but it is reported that Japan, is to take over eight aerodromes in Indo-China, including those in Saigon and another near the Thailand frontier. Full occupation of all strategic places is expected to be completed within the next two or three days.

The Japanese mission to Saigon stated that 190 military lorries had arrived from Hanoi to transport Japanese troops to nine bases. The statement added it'hat the vanguard of the main body of troops was expected in Saigon, on Wednesday. The Japanese mission also announced that the agreement with Viehy for what they called “the joint defence of Indo-China” was concluded last Wednesday. The negotiations were begun on Wednesday morning and were concluded by 8 p.m. The agreement was formally ratified by the Japanese Privy Council yesterday afternoon. The ceremony was held in the Imperial Palace, and the Emperor was present at the proceedings.

The Japanese Consul-General in the Philippines told the Press that Japan wanted peace. “Unless Japan is provoked beyond human endurance she will not fight,” he said. “There is no sense in fighting, because even the winner will lose in the end.”

FRENCH DISCONTENT

Surrender Of Indo-China

(Received July 29, 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, July 29.

The Madrid correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says more French officers and leading citizens who are believed to have opposed the Indo-China surrender have been arrested under orders from the Vichy Government. Discontent is specially great in the army. Several generals called on Marshal Petain on July 27, protesting against the detention of brother officers. They complained of the disappearance of Generals Grussard, Duran and Madrid.

A naval court tried a batch of French Communists at Toulon for spreading defeatism among the French army and people. Twelve, including one woman, were sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from five to 20 years.