JAPAN'S "REWARD"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23880, 3 February 1941, Page 8

JAPAN'S "REWARD"

INDO-CHINA MEDIATION NAVAL BASE PROPOSALS TERMS OF THE ARMISTICE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 2, r>.:?r> p.m.) LONDON, Feb. \ It is anticipated that Japan, as a reward for mediation in the Thai-lndo-China affair, will demand naval bases in southern Indo-China and Thailand for facilitating possible moves against Singapore or the Netherlands East Indies, says a message from Saigon, French IndoChina. Meanwhile it is reliably stated that Japan will soon send a fleet of 15 warships, comprising battleships, cruisers and auxiliaries, permanently to control the Gulf of Tonkin. Reports reaching London from New York and emanating originally from neutral quarters in Vichy emphasise that the sequel to 'lokio's otter to mediate in the dispute is a Japanese demand that its fleet b 0 allowed to occupy certain ports of Cambodia. Vichy's answer has been to ask for further explanations. Domination of Two Countries The Singapore Free Press claims that behind Japanese mediation in the conflict lies a story of Axis plotting, which eventually, and perhaps very soon, may lead to an extension of the war to the Far Fast. Japan is determined to be master of Indo-China and Thailand, on account of which Malaya is in real danger of finding herself engaged in a war in the next few months, the paper says. Developments, both actual and potential, constitute an attempt to outflank Singapore in order to attack front the rear. Supervision oi Agreement The armistice provides that both armies be withdrawn 10 kilometres behind file positions occupied on January 28, says the Saigon correspondent of the American Associated Press. The line follows the border, except at several points where Thai troops penetrated into Cambodia and one point in Laos. The two navies are forbidden to cross a line extending from the border into the Gulf of Siain. Aircraft are ordered to be held at least 20 kilometres behind the lines. The Japanese are authorised to supervise tho execution of the agreement. Renter's Shanghai correspondent reports that the armistice was signed yesterday morning aboard a Japanese warship at Saigon. Another Shanghai report says that, wliilo Thailand and Indo-China delegates reached a complete agreement on the ultimate plan for the cessation of border hostilities, the signing of the armistice lias been delayed. I he Thai Consulate at Singapore, in % communique, claims that the territories which formed the subject of the original Thai demands have been completely occupied by Thai forces and have been incorporated in Thailand.