ARMISTICE EXTENDED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20489, 25 February 1941, Page 7

ARMISTICE EXTENDED

INDO-CHINA DISPUTE JAP. TRADE TALKS “DELICATE CONNECTION” (Reed. Feb. 25, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 24. A message from Saigon reports that it is authoritatively stated that the armistice in the dispute between French Indo-China and Thailand will be extended until March 7. The Saigon correspondent of the Domei news agency stated yesterday that the Indo-China authorities had decided to make fresh military preparations to provide against the “worst situation” in connection with the scheduled expiration of the truce on Tuesday. Troops were reported to be moving along towards tne border since Saturday. Warships left Saigon They were believed to be heading tor Siam Bay. A Tokio message states that the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Yosuke Matsuoka, in reply to questions raised before the accounts committee of the House of Representatives said that the trade negotiations between Japan and Indo-China were making the anticipated progress, despite the “delicate connection” of the peace conference being simultaneously conducted in Tokio. He said that a settlement had been reached on the question of the supply of IndoChinese rice for Japan. The Japanese Vice-Foreign Minister, Mr. Ohashi, in reply to questions at the afternoon session of the deficit and bonds committee of the House of Representatives said: “There, is no reason why Britain and the United States should object to Japan’s mediation in the Indo-China—Thailand dispute or to the trade negotiations between Japan and the Netherlands East Indies and in this respect the Japanese Government is closely watching British and American moves.”