UNDER DURESS

Opotiki News, Volume III, Issue 315, 25 September 1940, Page 1

UNDER DURESS

AMERICAN;/ VIEW INDO-CHINA CHANGE JAPANESE ONSLAUGHT FRENCH RESISTANCE TOKIO VICTORY CLAIM (News by Cable.) NEW YORK, Sept. 23. A Washington message states that the Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, to-day declared that the status quo of Indo-China had been upset through duress. He reiterated the United States 'disapproval, but did not indicate the possible United States steps to giv<) concrete weight to that disapproval. A Domei Agency, broadcast states that bitter fighting is progressing between the French and Japanese in the northern frontier of IncloChina after all-night sporadic engagements in the vicinity of Dongdang. The French/ fired on Japanese crossing the border shortly after midnight, despite notification to the French commander that the Japanese were proceeding under the terms of the Hanoi*, agreement. Overcoming the opposition the Japanese occupied heights southward,of Dongdang this morning. The broadcast claimed that the French used gas.

The Hanoi corespondent of the Associated Press pf Great Britain samthat the Japanese resumed the a'ttack'bn the French positions near Langson this afternoon after Japanese warplanes liad bombed the Langson aerodrome. Attack Aftfer Agreement

The Japanese fare reported to have attacked three outposts, at Dongdang, Bi'nhai and Chinma. The French issued a Communique stilting that the Japanese forces attacked the French gfter receiving, formal notification of/Mhe signing of the agreement to pei'Aiit the passage; of -Japanese •troops;'k-The -comm unkju e added that the French had granted the Japanese special facilities in In-do-China, in return for which Japan gave an assurance that she would respect France’s rights and interests in the Far East. It is said that the Japanese commander delayed carrying out the agreement and postponed the landing of troops at Haiphong. Imperial headquarters in Tokio to-day announced that the Indo-Chi-na army surrendered at 11 o’clock this morning and was disarmed by the Japanese.

A Chungking message reports the Chinese contention that the Japanese will be unable to attack from. Indo-China, for at least a fortnight. They point out that the Chinese have destroyed the Laokay Bridge and also sections of the HaiphongKunming railway. The Chinese Foreign Office lias strongly protested to the French authorities in. Indo-China against the agreement with Japan. It is asserted that China is entitled to the measures of self-defence deemed necessary. It is added that the French must bear the responsibility for the losses and consequences.