JAPANESE FORCES IN INDO-CHINA

Southland Times, Issue 24498, 28 July 1941, Page 5

JAPANESE FORCES IN INDO-CHINA

OCCUPATION OF COUNTRY BEGUN ACTION TAKEN BY UNITED STATES (United Press Association —Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 1 a.m.) LONDON, July 27. It is reported from Saigon that the occupation of Indo-China military and air bases by Japanese forces has already begun. Bombers and army vehicles arrived yesterday. It is expected that the occupation of the air port of Saigon will be completed by tomorrow. There are four Japanese destroyers at Saigon. More Japanese forces of occupation are due to arrive between now and Thursday on warships and transports. Warehouses along the waterfront at Saigon have been cleared for the use of Japanese troops. Both Tokyo and Vichy are silent as to the terms under which Indo-China has been occupied by the Japanese. The United States has taken measures to counter Japan’s action in sending troops to occupy Indo-China. In common with Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa and Australia, she has decided to “freeze” Japanese credits in America. LieutenantGeneral Douglas MacArthur, former Chief of Staff of the United States Army has been appointed to command all the United States forces in the Philippines. He will have at his disposal an army of about 300,000 men. His appointment creates a new American military command in the Far East. Mr W. M. Hughes, the Australian Minister of the Navy said that Indo-China was a jumping-off place for Singapore, and that to Australia was a matter of life and death.