Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1950. INDO-CHINA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 103, 14 February 1950, Page 2

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1950. INDO-CHINA

The United States Joint Chiefs-of-Staff recently completed an inspection tour of the Central and West Pacific areas, and they have presented to President Truman a first-hand report on America's main defences in the Pacific and Far East. The President discussed proposals to bolster IndoChina, Burma, Siam and Indonesia with American arms and ammunition, and this possibility draws attention to the situation in Indo-China in particular, where there could be a big change at any moment. In fact, the struggle for power is fast reaching a climax. If Indo-China were alone involved, there would be little need for worry, but should the Communists gain the upper hand, then there would be an immediate deterioration in Malaya, with consequent unrest again in Indonesia. America is not unaware of the possibilities of the situation, and so the fate of President Truman’s proposals will be closely watchc|i. Little has been heard since the first report that. Chinese Communist soldiers had crossed the Indo-China border, but it can be taken for granted that it was not just an isolated movement. It is almost certain that forces in some strength are deployed along the frontier. Russia’s precipitate action in recognising the Communist group in' French IndoChina has demonstrated tlhe Soviet eagerness to consolidate the Communist position in South-east Asia. A year ago the French Government eiftered into new arrangements for the administration of its Indo-Chinese territories. By agreement with Bao Dai, former Emperor of Annam, the three areas of Tonkin, Annam and Xochin China were created an autonomous State within the French Union, with a status similar to that of the Indian Dominions within the British Commonwealth or that of Indonesia in relation to the Netherlands. Since then there has been a cold war between Bao Dai and the Viet Nam. Government, established immediately after the war under a former Comintern agent, Ho Ohiminh. In spite- of the armed forces at his command. Ho Chiminh has been unable to stop the Indo-Chinese nationalists from supporting Bao Dai in increasing numbers. Russia’s recognition of the Ho regime came at the height of this swing away from Communist domination, and was timed to coincide with Chinese recognition. The situation is delicate, but may clarify itself in the near future.