NATIVES SEEK INDEPENDENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25318, 27 September 1945, Page 5

NATIVES SEEK INDEPENDENCE

POORLY-ARMED IRREGULARS

CASUALTIES IN INDO-CHINA FIGHTING

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received September 26, 6.30 p.m.) SAIGON, Sept. 26 It is estimated that 100 people were killed or wounded in street fighting in Saigon, capital of French Indo-China, which has become the centre of a war of independence in the country. Armed Japanese troops are fighting alongside French and British against Annamite forces, who are resisting a return to French rule.

Armed bands of thousands of Annamite irregulars, most of them armed only with sticks, clubs and bamboo poles with knives attached, are moving on Saigon. Truckloads of Japanese with rifles are driving through the streets to the front.

British officers say they have insufficient troops in Indo-China to maintain law and order, and in consequence they are using some 2000 released French prisoners of war and calling on 5000 Japanese soldiers stationed in the Saigon area. Major-General Gracey, the British commiander, «ays that 600 additional Indian troops have arrived by air and begun a. house-to-house search for weapons.