INDO-CHINA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 August 1940, Page 5

INDO-CHINA

GUARDED GERMAN PROMISES TO JAPAN POSTPONEMENT OF ISSUE. UNTIL RESTORATION OF PEACE. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright! (Received This Day. 9 a.m.) TOKIO, August G. The "Asahi" gives prominence to a Berlin dispatch headed "Freedom of Indo-China Not Permitted." The dispatch said Germany was giving "some consideration" to Japan's predominant position in the Far East and IndoChina. but added that "the Indo-China issue should be disposed of after the restoration of peace. Germany would not recognise France’s plans to use Indo-China as a Far Eastern base, because this would be contrary to the truce agreement, as Germany was only recognising such armaments as were necessary for the maintenance of peace and order in Indo-China. Germany naturally recognised Japan's position as the leader in the Far East, but the time was not ripe to express views regarding Japan’s so-called southward policy. SOUTHWARD MOVE WARSHIPS & TRANSPORTS. REPORTED FROM HONG KONG. LONDON. August 6. The Hong Kong correspondent of the “Daily Express’ says unconfirmed reports of big movements of Japanese warships and transports have been received at Hong Kong. A liner arriving from Shanghai i"«» ported sighting 18 transports under escort of warships, travelling southward. Reports from Formosa declare that Japanese warships have left for an unknown destination. The "Daily Mail" says France is determined to resist any Japanese attack on Indo-China. M. Decoux has cancelled the demobilisation of all native regiments and ordered the manning of all coastal forts. He has also ordered all French warships stationed in the Far East to go to Indo-China. The tension is being increased by the demands of service and trade representatives. It is reported from Vichy that Japan has even demanded the right to establish naval and military bases in IndoChina and a trade agreement considerably increasing exports to it in exchange for iron, coal, tin and other raw materials. Part of the Japanese fleet is reported to have left Formosa for the coast near Indo-China and the China border. A message published yesterday said the Japanese Foreign Office denied that Japan was conducting negotiations with the French Ambassador, M. Arsene-Henry, concerning the alleged Japanese demands for a naval base in Indo-China. The army also denied knowledge of such demands. JAPANESE DENIALS FLEET NOT MOVING SOUTH. LONDON, August G. The message from Hong Kong regarding the reported movement of Japanese transports follows the reports that Japan is demanding the cession of naval bases in Indo-China, A big concentration of Japanese warships off Amoy (Chinese treaty port west of Formosa) is simultaneously reported. In Tokio the spokesman of the Japanese Navy said he was unable to disclose the fleet’s movements; however, he denied ths London dispatches that the fleet and transports were moving southward and said that because of the current situation there were bound to be many wild reports. RELEASE OF STEAMER DEMANDED BY BRITAIN. (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) SHANGHAI, August G. A deadlock has arisen relating to the British steamer Fatshan, which is held bv the Japanese at Canton, and which the British demand should be released. The Domei Agency says the Hong Kong authorities have threatened to prevent the entry of Japanese, transports until the deadlock is settled.