Immediate American Military And Economic Aid For Indo-China

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27385, 10 May 1950, Page 7

Immediate American Military And Economic Aid For Indo-China

New Zealand Press Association—Copyright Rec. 9 p.m. LONDON, May 9. The United States has promised immediate military and economic aid to France and Indo-China for the defence of Indo-China against Communism, says the Paris correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. This was announced in Paris last night by the United States Secretary of State, Mr Dean Acheson, after his day-long talks with the French Foreign Minister, Mr Robert Schuman.

In his statement, Mr Acheson said: “The United States Government, convinced that neither national independence nor democratic evolution can exist in any area dominated by Soviet imperialism, considers the situation to be such as to warrant its granting economic aid and military equipment to the associated States of Indo-China and to France to assist them in restoring stability and in permitting these States to pursue their peaceful and democratic development.”

The amount of aid was not disclosed, but it was suggested in some quarters that there would be an immediate first instalment of up to £10.000,000 of war equipment. In return, Mr Acheson is reported to have asked for a guarantee of progressively increased independence for Indo-China and for the strengthening of the anti-Communist attitude in France.