CHINA PREPARED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23770, 25 September 1940, Page 10

CHINA PREPARED

PEEABEANGED PLAN 200,000 TROOPS ON BORDER DESTROYING COMMUNICATIONS (Received September 24, 5.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 24 It is understood that the Chinese have proclaimed martial law throughout the provinces of Yunnan and Kwangsi, which border on Indo-China "China had plenty of time to prepare for this eventuality, and. our actions will proceed according to a prearranged plan," said a Chinese spokesman in Chungking, commenting on the Franco-Japanese agreement. The spokesman estimated th.it 200,000 Chinese were massed along the border ready to resist any Japanese advance toward Kunming on a largo scale.

The destruction of all communication facilities on the border is progressing. "Whole sections of the Indo-China railway inside Chinese territory are being removed.

The evacuation of the Chinese population and Government institutions in Kunming is being speeded up, as it is feared that tho Japanese shortly will resort to severe aerial bombardment of the ill-defended city from their newlyacquired air bases. The Chinese Foreign Office has strongly protested to the French authorities in Indo-China against the agreement with Japan. It assorts that "China is entitled to such measures of self-defence as are deemed necessary," and adds that the French must bear responsibility for the consequences. The influential Chinese newspaper Ta Kung-pao states that Chinese military preparations have been completed and troops aro awaiting orders to fight tho Japanese in Indo-China. NO INTERFERENCE JAPANESE PRESS WARNING (Received September 21, J0.35 p.m.) TOKIO, Sept. 24 The Tokio newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun says tho Japanese Government will reject unhesitatingly any protest by a third country against Japan's entry into Indo-China, because Japan's intentions are "extremely peaceful and constructive." Moreover, says the paper, tho action has been taken with the full understanding of the French Government. It adds that some of the third Powers which interfered in the negotiations from tho outset are already showing a threatening attitude and contending that the on try of the Japanese troops is an improper military action. BRITISH HOME GUARD (Received September 24, G. 30 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Sept. 23 The Minister of War, Mr. Eden, spent the past week visiting units of the Home Guard in tho London area and saw a complete battalion of the Homo Guard at military exercises. He was highly gratified by'all he saw.