THAILAND’S AGGRESSION.

Evening Star, Issue 23755, 10 December 1940, Page 4

THAILAND’S AGGRESSION.

It is reported from Hanoi, in French Indo-China, that serious fighting is proceeding between Thailand and French troops. The particular sector in which tho clash has occurred is on the northern Laos area. Laos is a narrow strip of territory adjoining Thailand, and is a French protectorate. French Indo-China comprises the possession of Cochin-China and protectorates over the four provinces of Cambodia, Annam, Tonkin, and Laos. Names that are constantly appearing in the cable messages are Hanoi, tho capital of Tonkin, and Saigon, the capital of Indo-China. In the developments that are occurring Japan is actively behind the scenes. Her eyes are set on these territories, not only because of their natural wealth, but for their strategic value in facilitating Tokio’s plans for the domination of East Asia. The collapse of France in Europe helped Japan practically to force concessions from the French officials in Indo-China in granting the use of certain ports and air bases. In September it was announced that the Japanese Government had given the French Government an assurance that it would respect the rights of France in East Asia, especially the territorial integrity of French Indo-China and French sovereignty over all parts of Indo-China, while the French Government agreed to afford the Japanese army and navy special facilities necessary for the prosecution of Tokio’s military operations. Tims it will be seen that. Japan is getting a firm foothold in IndoChina, while at the same time disclaiming any territorial ambitions, which, in the light of past actions and declarations, must bo accepted with reserve.

In this trouble between Thailand and Indo-Ghina Japan is very much concerned. There is a long-standing grievance in the hitherto peaceable little country—stijl best known as Siam—concerning territory on the Mekong River, which was transferred by treaty to France in 1007, and it may be conceded that, with the future of indo-China apparently in the melting pot, an assertion of the claims of Thailand to recover these lauds is perhaps not unnatural. But that is only the superficial origin of the present hostilities. Thailand is being enthusiastically backed by Japan, which, by artful and persistent propaganda, has stirred up the national feeling in the country to fever heat. The ambition of Thailand is to include Cambodia, Tonkin, the Shan States of Burma, and oven Ihe provinces of Yunnan and Szechwan in China within her borders. These aims have been encouraged by Japan, which, under the cloak of aiding Thailand's national aspirations, has steadily directed Siamese policy for her own advantage. The Japanese, in aiding Thailand, have entrenched themselves in the country’s life. Practically every Government department, the army, the navy, the majority of the banks, and nearly all commercial linns have Japanese advisers. Japan has played cleverly on the enthusiastic nationalism of the. Siamese. She has never lost an opportunity of recalling that Cambodia was “ seised ” by the French, or to insist that for fifty years Thailand’s industrial and financial activities have been dominated by Great Britain and China. Thailand lias apparently failed to realise Japan’s ulterior aims and her selfishness, or to observe that every

bra nch of Siamese life is now so impregnated with Japanese influence that the Bangkok Government is rapidly losing the very independence of thought and action which it imagines Japan is assisting Thailand—Land of the Free—to gain. Should Thailand be successful in her invasion and Japan dominate the position in Jndo-China, it can well be imagined that not Bangkok hut Tokio would take possession of the rich territorial gains, in the meantime the official French Government in IndoChina is resisting the Thailand invasion, while Japan stands by, an interested spectator of the developments.

Scant consideration was given to an appeal by a young man who came before the Otago Man Power Committee yesterday. He sought postponement of his period of Territorial training. A young single man, the reason he advanced was that ho was in debt following upon a bookmaking adventure which proved anything but a success. He had boon hard hit and had to pay out on a double, and to meet his obligations had to borrow money, A postponement of service would enable him to repay his loan. The appeal was dismissed! The dog nuisance on the Dunedin beaches was mentioned at the annual meeting last night of the St. Glair Improvement Association. Far too many stray dogs were allowed to wander about' it was said, to the danger of the health of children and others who left clothing and towels on the sand while they had a bathe. On the cliildrcn’s playgrounds, too, dogs were a nuisance and an annoyance to young children. It was decided to bring the matter to the notice of the City Council and the St. Kilda Borough Council. His Honour, Mr Justice Kennedy, has granted probate in the following estates; —Sir John Robert Sinclair, Dunedin, retired barrister and solicitor; Marv Gibbs, Port Chalmers, widow; William Casson, Dunedin, retired blacksmith; Alice .Mary Morgan, Dunedin, spinster; Daisy Evelyn Edith Holmes, Dunedin, married woman; Flsio Little, Cardrona, married woman. An attractive badge has been designed for the street day appeal on Friday in aid of the London Distress and “Spitfire” fighter plane funds. The badges will he on sale in every part of the city and South Dunedin, and also in Oamarn, Port Chalmers, Mosgiel. Baleluthn. Owaka, Clinton .Kaitangata, and Milton. The nominal price of tho badge is Is. About 400 ladies "will take part in the sale of badges at tho various street corners of the citv, throughout the day from 7.30 a.nU to 6 p.m.; the following organisations being represented Townswomen’s Guild. Combined Old Girls’ Association, Bed Cross, Blanket Society, Y.W.C.A.. Women’s Territorial Association, 8.N.V.8. ladies, lady bowlers, St. John Ambulance (Iloslyn, Morniimton, Opolio branches), League of Mothers. Salvation Army, picture theatre girls, commercial travellers. ■Mrs H. L. Paterson and Mrs G. H. Seddon have also organised parties of The successful use of meteorology in artillery warfare was demonstrated lor Hie first time in New Zealand, when the Ist and 2nd Field Regiments, New Zealand Artillery, held shoots at AVaiouru. Six men, drawn from the three military districts, underwent a special course at the Government Meteorological Office at Wellington, and four of them wore posted to the regiments which participated in the shoot. The velocity and direction of the wind at various heights arc measured by observing tbe flight of a special type of hydrogen-filled balloon by means of a theodolite. The information thus gained, it is claimed, adds immeasurably to the accuracy of fire. A special vehicle to house meteorological equipment is almost ready for delivery, thus making tho unit a fully mobile one. When Mr S. N. Garland, vice-consul for Greece in Wellington, was visiting Sydney recently, the Consul-General for Greece there, Dr F. \ risakis, informed him that he had received a cable from tho Greek Government saying that the Jewish community of Athens had placed “ its life and wealth ” at Greece’s disposal, and that it had communicated with the Jewish communities of North and South America, Egypt, and Palestine, seeking their support. Tho Jewish community of Athens totals about 10,000. It is represented in tho Greek legislature and plays an active part in the social and cultural life of the country. The air ‘blitzkrieg against Britain has not affected the people’s intention to adhere to customary Christmas celebrations, according to letters received in New Zealand, “ 1 think wc should make the usual festivity of it,” says one writer, “ and it may amuse you to know that wo have made our Christmas puddings and mincemeat.” Tho same writer, whoso ago is 72, tells how the British are finding amusement in air raid shelters. “ They learn to know their neighbours by the snore instead of by name,” he says. “ and you get Blaster, Squeaker. Wheezcr, and Woodsawyer.”

A university club held a holiday camp at the Great Barrier recently, and as the boat on which they intended to return to Auckland was delayed and did not arrive to take them off the island until a day alter the/ expected, their food supplies had to bo carefully eked out. Sugar was one of the first commodities to run out, and 1 the resourceful cooks, choosing the next best thing, sprinkled the rice pudding cooked for dinner with raisins. Now, in camp cooking over open fires it is almost impossible to prevent small pieces of hark or cinders from getting into the food, and this particular t.ce pudding was no exception. During the meal, therefore, one of the more fastidious of the party was observed to be carefully separating “ foreign bodies ” from bis helping. Ho .'.aid nothing, being a ' very uncomplaining fellow, so it was not until so mo time afterwards that ho discovered that the “ foreign bodies ” wore raisins. Less objectionable in their wording than the scurrilous documents sent to men called up in the second Territorial ballot, but equally objectionable in the manner of their circulation, eyclostylcd leaflets in their hundreds were delivered during the hours of darkness on Sunday night or early yesterday morning over wide areas of the city and suburbs. The former leaflets were an underhand exhortation not to fight, but this new circular confines itself to an attack on the Government’s war policy and the propounding of certain methods for the defence of New Zealand. No one saw the nocturnal “ postmen ” who delivered the documents, but, considering the area over which they were distributed, there must have been several engaged, thus indicating that the organisation is fairly strong, but most of I hose who received copies expressed resentment, and in many eases took them along to the Central ■Police Station, where a large collection was made.

Taking as its motto the words of Mr Churchill, “Go to it,” the Church Army in England is doing valuable work among victims of German bombing raids. Most of its twelve hundred officers and sisters carry out all-night work after their day’s tasks are done. The sisters carry tea and smiles to the air raid shelters in London and the provinces and the large “ work-aid ” institutes throughout the country nowhouse homeless families, in devastated areas parish officers have a push-cart tea and buu outfit and go from squad to squad of the men rescuing o'-oplo from the debris of their homes. At 7.L'5 this morning the City hire Brigade answered an automatic false alarm received from .M'Leod Bros.’ Soaf) Factory in Castle street.