BRITAIN AND THAILAND

Evening Star, Issue 23811, 15 February 1941, Page 11

BRITAIN AND THAILAND

CORDIAL RELATIONS UNIMPAIRED NON-AGGRESSION PACT RESPECTED BANGKOK, February 14. A communique says that news from various sources is now current that the British military authorities have stationed land, naval, and air forces on the Thai border adjoining the Federated Malay States and Burma. This may lead some people to misunderstand that Great Britain will eventually violate Thai territory.

“ His Majesty’s Government of Thailand, therefore, begs to state that the friendly relations happily existing between Britain and Thailand remain unimpaired,” adds the communique. “ Both countries still respect the treaty and pact of non-aggression concluded between each other, and their mutual understanding and sympathy still exist. Their relations are most cordial in every way.”

BRITISH TROOPS ON BORDER

NO MISUNDERSTANDING' LONDON, February 14. It is officially denied from Bangkok that Thailand granted the use of its airports to Japan. It is revealed, however, that negotiations have been concluded permitting Japanese commercial planes to use the former Air Prance route direct from Bangkok to Saigon, instead of the longer route along the gulf. There is absolutely no change in the relations between Britain and Thailand, said a high Government authority. He emphasised that there was no misunderstanding whatever between the two Governments. He pointed out that it was customary courtesy for the two Governments to exchange information concerning defence preparations in their respective territories adjoining the Thai-Malaya border. Therefore Press reports of military and air force reinforcements on the Malaya side of the border did not come as a surprise to the Thai Government.

" RELATIONS UNIMPAIRED "

BANGKOK, February 14. (Received February 15 at 9.20 a.m.) A communique has been issued stating that, despite concentrations of British land, sea, and air forces on the Malayan-Thai border, the friendly relations remain unimpaired.

AIR RAID DISTRESS

, NEW BRUNSWICK GIFT TG FUND (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 13. Among the gifts received in aid of the Air Raid Distress Fund, which stands at £2,130,000, is £447 from the Union of New Brunswick Municipalities.

AMERICAN BOMBERS

FIRST OF NEW TYPE READY FOR BRITAIN NEW YORK, February 14. It is reported that the first fourmotored Consolidated land bomber will leave for England within a week. It had a speed of over 300 miles per heur, a range of 3,000 miles, and a capacity of four tons.