RISING IN INDO-CHINA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 256, 27 September 1945, Page 6

RISING IN INDO-CHINA

UGLY SCENES REPORTED. MANY KIDNAPPINGS. (N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright.) (Rec. 1.20 p.m.) SAIGON. Sept. 26. The Annamites yesterday kidnapped 40 French citizens and a British officer, of whom British troops rescued 31. A British headquarters spokesman said the missing 10 possibly had been killed. Last night the Annamites burned down Saigon’s market place after stealing fire engines. They appear to be carrying out their threat to burn the city to the ground. Major-General Gracey told the Japanese General Numata that if he did ; not carry out orders to maintain order it would prejudice the return of his troops to Japan. The Associated Press correspondent in Saigon says there is some suspicion that the Japanese are tolerating, even it not encouraging, the uprising. Two Japanese civilians were held for questioning after a grenade had been thrown at a British patrol from a house occupied by the Japanese. Japanese troops are also reported to have been seen in the vicinity of the market place fire. The British reported that sporadic fighting is continuing in the northwestern section of Saigon. The natives are using weapons which they obtained from surrendering Japanese.