Relations With United States

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 225, 21 September 1940, Page 9

Relations With United States

INDO-CHINA DISPUTE Immediate Retaliation To Invasion Expected (United Press Association.—Copyright.— Rec. 1 p.m.) LONDON, September 20. A f han S hai message says that authoritative reports from kyo state that Japan is prepared for a major crisis in JapanAmerican relations over Indo-China. • J he ..J a P anese i are confident that Indo-China at the last minute will accept the ultimatum. However, in view of the statemeill J f or . dell Hul1 ' U - S - Secretary of State, that America would take a serious view of any change in the status quo in the i-ar bast, they anticipate American retaliation will probably be stirt embargoes. A report from Hongkong this morning stated that Japan has presented French Indo-China with an ultimatum of 72 hours to expire at midnight on Sunday. The ultimatum is thought to deal mainly with the granting of permanent naval and air bases. Immediate Push To The South. It is believed in Tokyo that the Imperial conference held yesterday irrevocably decided on an immediate push southward, including the Dutch East Indies. Then an attempt will be made to force the United States to lift embargoes in return for the Indies tin and rubber. The Japanese believe that in view of the revelation of M. Baudouin, Foreign Minister in the Petain Government, of the United States' failure to promise any definite support to IndoChina the French will probably announce on Sunday the acceptance of Japanese demands. The main Japanese objective is naval bases, from which they will almost immediately strike at the East Indies before American embargoes could be effective. The Japanese evacuation of Indo-China began this morning. Admiral Decaux is making available every facility, "although there is no reason for the evacuation." A Hanoi message says the situation in Indo-China is considered critical since the members of the Japanese mission announced that they are leaving. Lieutenant-General Nishihara, leader of the mission, made a farewell call on the GovernorGeneral, Admiral Decaux. The three French warships which have reached Dakar are not bound for Indo-China, but are remaining at Dakar, says a dispatch from Vichy. A message from Singapore says the Thailand Assembly agreed to extend the Constitution a further ten years. Sixty Assemblymen signed a document which was submitted to the Premier, undertaking to enlist in the front line in the event of Thailand becoming involved in war with any country whatever.