JAPANESE TROOP MOVEMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 24596, 19 November 1941, Page 5

JAPANESE TROOP MOVEMENTS

Transports At Hanoi And Saigon

LONDON, November 17.

Japan zj troops, transports and supply ships are arriving daily at both Hanoi and Saigon, «'reports the Shanghai correspondent of the Associated Press. Informed circles believe that some major development will occur before the end of November.

The greatest significance is attached in Singapore to a broadcast from Saigon by Admiral Jean Decoux, Vichy Gov-ernor-General of Indo-China. In it he announced a complete purge in administrative circles of elements lukewarm ir their attitude towards the “new order’’ in Indo-China. The action indicates a complete change to totalitarianism and a final surrender to Japan. Admiral Decoux announced the dismissal of 150 French and 150 local officials. “There are other officials also showing a bad example,” he added “They will need watching. I am appointing a Federal Council, the members of which I am choosing myself. They will replace the present elected council.” GUIDANCE OF THE YOUNG Admiral Decoux announced the appointment of a department through which he would lay down rules for the guidance of the young. Observers believe that the purge is most important because it means the disappearance of the last shred of resistance to Japanese infiltration. “Japan is contemplating a Yunnan drive to isolate Chungking from the other anti-aggression Powers,” said Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, addressing the People’s Political Council in Chungking. He was confident that Mr Kurusu, the special Japanese envoy, would not be successful in his efforts to relieve the United States pressure against Japan, whose only salvation consisted of accepting the democracies’ peace terms. These included the abandonment of aggression, withdrawal from China, including the north-eastern provinces, withdrawal from Indo-China and withdrawal fror.- the Tripartite Alliance.

Emphasizing the strength in unity, Dr Quo Tai-chi, the Chinese Foreign Minister, said it would be most advantageous to the A.B.C.D. Powers to declare an open alliance, especially against the Axis aggressors, who, long ago had openly announced their alliance. The Bangkok radio announced that the Government had ordered provincial governors to call up reservists between 18 and 45 years of age.