NEW OUTBREAK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23881, 4 February 1941, Page 7

NEW OUTBREAK

THAILAND BORDER. VIOLATION OF TRUCE ARMED FORCES CLASH By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received February 3, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, .Tan. 3 Renter's correspondent at Bangkok reports that the French violated the truce on the Thailand - Indo - China border to-day, when the Thailand delegates from Bangkok were preparing to fly to the peace conference in Tokio. Three clashes occurred in the Sisophon region. A French patrol violated the neutral zone, and one was shot dead, one escaped and four were taken prisoner. An hour later a whole regiment, with two tanks, tried to encroach on the same zone, but was repulsed. A third attempt similarly was frustrated. Another Bangkok report says the possibility of a peaceful solution of the Thailand - Indo - China dispute was jeopardised on Saturday when fighting broke out in tho Aranya sector, at Kompat. The Thai High Command said the French attacked Kompat, after which Thai forces counter-attacked and threw back the French. They said a second attack on Sunday also was repulsed. A Thai communique indicated that the opposing forces had not yet withdrawn for 10 kilometres, according to the truce agreement. A Japanese destroyer of 1200 tons is reported to be anchored at Bangkolj. It is denied from Bangkok, however, that there is any special significance in the visit.

An earlier message said it was officially stated that the peace mission would leave for Tokio on Wednesday in a Japanese aeroplane. It was expected that an agreement would be reached within a fortnight. TALKS AT SINGAPORE MISSION FROM INDO-CHINA JAPANESE MOVE FEARED (Received February 3. 5.5 p.m.) CHUNGKING. Feb. 2 According to Chinese sources' in Hongkong, lndo-China has sent emissaries to Singapore to discuss British co-opera-tion to prevent the seizure by the Japanese of South China. Following tho truce with Thailand, it is stated, French troops have started concentration in Cochin-C'hiua to strengthen the defence of Saigon. TROUBLE IN SHANGHAI PROTEST TO JAPANESE (Received February 3, 11.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Feb. 3 The Shanghai Municipal Council announced that it is protesting to the Japanese Consulate concerning an incident in which a gang of Japanese commandeered a taxicab and drove through the fence on to the racecourse. They poured gasoline and set fire to the large shed in which the taxpayers' meeting was scheduled to resume on Thursday, and exchanged shots with the Russian police. Terrorists threw grenades at two proChungking Courts in the International Settlement. No casualties were caused. A prominent accountant at Litiao has been kidnapped. An assassin fatally shot King Hua-ting, editor of the proChungking newspaper Shun I'ao, who is on Nanking's black list. BETRAYED BY HABIT LONDON, Jan. 2!) One of three German prisoners who had escaped was detected by a bus conductor at Sheffield and handed over to the police. In spite of the fact that the man spoke perfect English and was disguised in a sports jacket, and flannel slacks, the bus driver became suspicious because he clicked his heels involuntarily when he received his bus ticket.