DANGER POINT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23780, 7 October 1940, Page 7

DANGER POINT

INDO-CHINA SITUATION THAILAND INVOLVED DEMANDS UPON FRENCH By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 6, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 6 It is believed in some Far East circles that Japan's operations in Indo-China cover a plan to make a demonstration toward Singapore, possibly through Thailand (Siam), when the Axis strikes in the Mediterranean.

The correspondent of the Domei news agency at Bangkok says relations between Thailand and Indo-China are at a "dangerous point" regarding a new demarcation of the border. He said both were steadily concentrating troops on the border areas. Messages from Hongkong say that Thailand is massing aeroplanes and troops on the north-eastern frontier of Indo-China. Appeal to Vichy The French community at Bangkok sent a message to Vichy appealing to the Government to yield to Thailand's request for territorial"readjustments in Indo-China, "which were under consideration long before France was involved in her present difficulties." The Tokio correspondent of the Domei news agency says that Indo-China : ; antiaircraft guns fired on Thailand aeroplanes reconnoitring the border and also that Thailand sent 50 aeroplanes to the border. The French are concentrating war material, while both countries are evacuating civilians from the borders. Violation of Border A message from Vichy says groups of 20 to 40 Thailand aeroplanes flew over the frontier of Indo-China yesterday, and the Thailand frontier forces have been reinforced. These demonstrations are not regarded seriously, and are probably intended to support Thailand's territorial claims, to which France replied that she did not intend to discuss revision of the frontier, but was prepared to give Thailand access to the deep waters of the Mekong River. The Bangkok correspondent of the Domei news agency says the Prime Minister of Thailand, Luang Bipul Songgram, declared Thailand was determined to pursue its quest for disputed regions in Indo-China, but had no intention of resorting to arms. Japanese Mission The Japanese Foreign Office announced that an economic mission headed by Mr. Hajime Matsumiya is going to Indo-China to cement closer economic conditions. Reports received in Canton state that part of the Japanese troops from Haiphong entered Hanoi suburbs on Thursday afternoon, and are reported to have been welcomed by the French as well as by the natives. . . The French Governor-General, Admiral Decoux, decorated Vice-Admiral Nishihara with the Order of the Dragon of . Annam, and the rank .of grand officer, before Vice-Admiral Nishihara's departure on "a pleasure trip" to southern Indo-China, where IndoChinese and Thailand troops are massed on the border.

BURMA ROAD ISSUE LONDON DISCUSSION PORT OF WEIHAIWEI "BRITAIN'S RESPONSIBILITY" (Received October 6, 6.50 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 5 The Chinese Ambassador, , Mr. Quo Tai-chi, visited Mr. Churchill and discussed the Burma Road question. The Times says Japan's attitude does not justify the extension of the Burma Road agreement, as Japan has thrown in her lot with Britain's enemies. A message from Chungking says that, questioned regarding the report of a possible Japanese seizure of the port of Weihaiwei, the Chinese military spokesman declared the responsibility would rest with Britain, as China had renewed the lease of Weihaiwei to Britain for 10 years. The Japanese Army's newspapers in Shanghai, the Hsin Shun Pao and the Tairiku Shimpo, have renewed their demands that the Japanese army of occupation and the Nanking regime., should take over control of the foreign concessions in Shanghai. The Tairiku Shimpo demanded that the consular body should recognise fait accompli in Shanghai, meaning that it should recognise the Japanese military conquest of the entire area. -v

JAPANESE IN CANADA LONDON. Oct. 4 The Tokio vernacular press gives prominence to a report that the actingMinister to Canada, Mr. Akira Matsui, informed the Foreign Office that the Vancouver Municipal Assembly, for the purpose of oppressing Japanese dents, had decided to close Japanese elementary schools and deport Japanese who violate Canadian laws, also those considered to have illegally entered the country, and to prohibit the entry of new Japanese immigrants. S KING IN AIR RAID VISIT TO EAST END SHELTERS AND FOOD CENTRE British Wireless LONDON, Oct. 4 His Majesty the King made a tour of the shelters in the East End of London while an air raid was in progress. In addition to visiting shelters, the King also visited a communal feeding centre where men, wohien and children who had been bombed out of their homes are now living. LOYALTY OF INDIA WILLINGNESS TO HELP British Wireless LONDON, Oct. 4 Speaking to journalists in London, the High Commissioner for India, Sir Firoz Khannoon, said India's complaint was that Britain had not made sufficient use of India's willingness to help in this war. "There is not," Sir Firoz said, "a man in India who does not want Britain to win." : ■ r .