RESIST INVADERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20631, 12 August 1941, Page 5

RESIST INVADERS

THAILAND CALL USE OF EVERY MEANS RETENTION OF HONOUR (Elec. Tel Copyright—United Press Asbo.) (Reed. Aug. 12, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 11. The Bangkok radio appealed to Thailanders to stand up to possible invaders. “Though independence may be lost, your honour will remain,' said the announcer. He urged the people to use every means to kill an enemy, even gas, if justified. He also advocated the “scorcned-earth” policy. The Bangkok correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain, in a message sent last night, stated mat the general impression was that the atmosphere was .definitely better after intense diplomatic activity throughout the day in which the United States Minister figured and which reached a climax in an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet. The Hong Kong representative of The Times says that amidst the dangers and complexities of the situation it is felt that one thing at least is clear—Japan’s action in French IndoChina has taken up the last of the slack. Tension Taut “The tension is so taut now that any move against Thailand, Burma, Singaport or the Netherlands Indies would be almost certain to result in war in the Pacific,” adds the Hong Kong correspondent of The Times. “Officially described as a fortress Hong Kong probably has more heavy guns for its size than any part of tne Empire. The colony is practically on a war footing, although life is going on much as usual. “Another vast air raid tunnel with a capacity for 10,000 people is nearing completion in the heart of the city.” The Singapore correspondent of The Times says the Japanese occupation of Indo-China applies in the economic as well as the military sphere. This is clear from reports that Japanese officials are being appointed to co-operate with the French administration and also that technicians are arriving to participate in the development of Indo-China’s resources and help reorganise the export trade.