JAPAN AND INDO-CHINA

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 September 1940, Page 8

JAPAN AND INDO-CHINA

FRENCH ADMIT TROOPS CHINESE TO FIGHT [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] ■ LONDON, September 17. According to a Shanghai report, the Hanoi correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says French officials admit unofficially that' negotiations are likely to result in an immediate agreement permitting Japan to establish’2s,ooo troops in IndoChina, possibly causing China to send troops over the frontier and thus precipitating a conflict ending France’s rule. All are : convinced that only_ the United States could prevent japan gaining possibly an unshakeable hold. The Vichv Government’s inability to deter the* Japanese has strengthened General de Gaulle, but lack of organisation has prevented the '■formation of a movement able to sway the administration’s decisions. JAPANESE DEMANDS

(Recd. Sept. 18, 11.40 a.m.). CHUNGKING, September 17. The newspapers in Hong Kong state that Mr. Nishihara has presented Japan's final demands to M. Decoux, as follow: Firstly, Indo-China to be divided into three sections —Tonking, under Japanese control, Ahnam, as a buffer zone, and the southern provinces to remain under French control. Secondly, the establishment of a Japanese air-base at Hanoi. Thirdly, the establishment of a Japanese naval base, also Japanese control of the northern sea belt. A message from Kewilin, states that, according to informed circles, the Japanese and French negotiators at Hanoi agreed, firstly, to the landing of Japanese troops at Haiphong, with passage only along the railway. Secondly, to the landing of 30.000 Japanese only, in order not to exceed twothirds of the French garrison at Tonking. Thirdly, to the Japanese use of the Hanoi airfield.

The Japanese, however, are insisting upon landing 120,00(1 men, for which reason the negotiations are dragging on. JAPS. TO EVACUATE (Peed. Sept. 18, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 17. The Associated Press Hanoi correspondent says: The Japanese ConsulGeneral has warned Japanese nationals to prepare to leave Indo-China, if French and Japanese relations deteriorate after the conference on the question of the entry of Japanese troops to French territory. He added that ships were going to Haiphong, to evacuate the Japanese. The French are prepared to continue the negotiations, but are equally determined to reject the Japanese representations, if they take the form of an ultimatum. STATEMENT IN LORDS. RUGBY, September 17. In the Lords, Lord Caldecote made a statement similar to that of Mr. CKUfchillr ' He" added the following short-statement on -the situation in Indo-China. ' “His Majesty’s Government has no definite information as to "The"course of the proceedings, but, in view of current -reports to the effect .that Japan has been pressing IndoChina to allow the passage of Japanese troops, the British Government has made it clear to the Japanese Government that it is> interested in the maintenance df the status quo in that area.” PREMIER’S ADMISSION (Recd. Sept. 18, 9.5 a.m.). TOKIO, September 17. Addressing the final meeting of the Preparatory Commission, Prince Konoye said: “I think Japan’s situation will become increasingly serious in the near future, for which reason Japan’s hundred million people must act as one, in* the effort to surmount this national emergency.” U.S.A. TRADE HARD HIT. SHANGHAI, September 17. American Consulates throughout China have received a new flood of complaints about the Japanese embargo. against the United States.

■■ One of the largest American companies reported from Tientsin that its total business for the first half of September was six United States dollars, compared with a normal 30,000. Businessmen predict that half the American firms in China will be bankrupt before the end of the year unless the Japanese restrictions are relaxed. PHILIPPINES’ APPEAL (Recd. Sept. 18, 1.30 p.m.) MANILA, September 17., The Finance Secretary (Senor Manuel Roxas), broadcasting, appealed to the United States to strengthen its position in the Philippines, by sending)' more arms, planes, and defensive equipment. He added that the islands’ military insecurity endangered the United States peace. “She cannot intend to leave the Philippines to be over-run by an invader.” He said that the war and disruption of< trade made impossible the preparation of- the islands economically for independence in 1946. NANKING GOVERNMENT. SHANGHAI, September 17. The head of the Nanking Government, General Wang Ching Wei’s paper, the “Daily News,” has announced that Nanking will not recognise the extra-territofial rights of Poland, Holland, Norway, Belgium and other conquered countries. ‘ Renewing complaints to Tokio, the Nanking paper said that China is ex- ' pecting more satisfactory treatment and'more honest co-operation from Japan than from the nations which have been suppressing China. BOMB ON LINER. TOKIO, September 17. The Canadian Charge d’Affaires here, Mr. McGreer, has made representations to the Japanese Foreign Office regarding the bombing of the liner, Empress of Australia. The Vice ] Foreign Minister, Mr. Oshashi, ex- - pressed regret and promised to in- '• demnify the ship owners, and to com- '■ pensate ’injured members of the crew. ( Sir R. Craigie (British Ambassador), £ saw Mr. Matsuoka (Foreign Minis- £ ter), and supported Mr. McGreer. J