TROOPS MASSING

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24135, 29 November 1941, Page 11

TROOPS MASSING

THAILAND'S DANGER FORCES IN INDO-CHiNA GUNS LANDED AT SAIGON (Reed. 11.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 Authoritative sources in Washington fear that Japan's answer to the American terms for a settlement will be an attack against Thailand within a few days, says the United .Press. Reports reaching Washington state that the Japanese are massing troops in north and south IndoChina, apparently for offensive mov'es on Thailand and the Burma RoaH. Large numbers of troops and Runs have been landed at Saigon in the past five days,.while the Japanese have purchased boats up and down the coast. The Japanese Navy appears to be ready for action. American Precautions If Japan moves against Thailand, adds the United Press, the United States has a scheme for land convoys to ensure delivery of war materials to China via the Burma Road. Details are secret, but such a plan, also a broader scheme to meet the general situation arising from an invasion of Thailand, has been drawn up ready for operation. A Tokio message says the newspaper Nichi Nichi gives prominence to a special message from Bangkok saying that Britain is concentrating 50,000 British and Australian troops in 1 Malaya, and on the Thailand border, I aimed at the invasion of Thailand as a measure of strengthening the A.B.C.D. front against Japan. In a broadcast from Bangkok last night the Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Bipul Songgram, said Japan had guaranteed that the concentration of Japanese troops in Indo-China did not mean that an attack was to be made on Thailand. He added that concentrations of Japanese troops, also British troops in Malaya, were no danger to Thailand as long as they took no action. Great Emergency "We must not prejudice the situation by saying that the troops are meant for an attack on us," he added. "I will not say that the Thai nation is not facing a great emergency, hut [ must tell the people not to be disturbed by the political situation outside the country." Mr. Songgram said British, American and Japanese diplomats had assured him of their continued friendly relations with Thailand and that their countries would observe existing pacts and agreements. ' "We are passing through troublous times," he added, "but the trouble is not of our mak- j ing. If we manage to escape war there is a bright future for us." The Bangkok radio for the second night in succession emphasised Thailand's danger and the tense Pacific situation and urged calm preparedness and avoidance of squabbles, as it was feared that a minor incident might easily develop into a large-scale conflagration. The Thai Legislature has accepted a bill for the development of the country's defences. It authorises the Gov- [ ernment to make preparations for war and to take steps to deal with any . emergency.

JAPANESE COMPLAINT INDO-CH!NA'S ATTITUDE "LACK OF SINCERITY" TOKIO, Nov. 27 The Japanese newspaper Asahi publishes a despatch from its Hanoi correspondent which accuses Indo-China of a change of attitude to Japan as the result of the talks in Washington. "Indochina's attitude is that of betrayal on some points, suggesting lack of sincerity to Japan," states this correspondent. It is reported that Mr. K. Yoshizawa, Ambassador to Indo-China, has strongly protested against a communique issued by the French Colonial authorities alleging that recent arrests by Japanese were made without a reason. . The Japanese authorities at baigon are protesting to the French authorities regarding the bombing of the united States Consulate, also the bombing of a Japanese oil tank. The Japanese protest against the failure of the French to control Chungking agents. The Domei representative at wanting savs that Wang Ching-wei, speaking at the anniversary of Japanese recognition of his puppet regime, pledged wholehearted collaboration with Japan regardless of international developments. CULMINATING POINT STAGE OF DISCUSSIONS (Rccd. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 27 A warning has been given in London, says the British official wireless, that different reports in currency regarding the scope and progress of the talks in Washington on the Far Eastern situation seem to be of a purely specific character, and contain wide divergencies. Authoritative comment is obviously out of the question at this stage, although it is likely that the talks have reached the culminating point. There can, however, be no doubt that any proposal which has been or may be put forward by the Japanese will be most carefully scrutinised before any relaxation of existing economic measures can be considered.