FUTURE OF INDO-CHINA

Grey River Argus, 14 December 1943, Page 3

FUTURE OF INDO-CHINA

French Guarantees NEW POLITICAL STATUS.

P.A. WELLINGTON, Dec 13. A declaration concerning the future status of Indo-China has been made by the French Copimittee of National Liberation.

After dealing with the outbreak of war with Japan and the resultant forced submission of Indo-China to the Japanese, the committee states: “France solemnly repudiates all deeds and capitulations which may have been agreed to in defiance of her rights, and interests. In alliance with the United Nations, she will continue to struggle at their side until the aggressor is defeated, and all of her territories entirely liberated. “When the freedom of Indo-China is accomplished," states the declaration, “France means to give her, within the bosom of the French community, a' new political status, where, in the frame of a Federal organisation, the liberties of the different countries of the union will be extended and safeguarded; where the liberal character of her institutions will be accentuated, without losing the original impress of the IndoChinese civilisation and traditions; and where the. Indo-Chinese will be admitted to every kind of employment and to all ‘public functions of the State. Corresponding economic changes will also be made on the basis of a regime of customs and fiscal autonomy.”