Fighting Starts In Indo-China

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 226, 23 September 1940, Page 8

Fighting Starts In Indo-China

JAPANESE INVADE Initial Attacks Fully Resisted By French Forces (United Press Association.—Copyright.— Rec. 2 p.m.) HANOI, September 22. The Japanese crossed the border, attacking Dongdang on the north-east frontier of Indo-China, says a Hanoi message. The French fully resisted the attacks, which were suspended at midnight. However, French officials expect the Japanese to resume attacks at dawn.' The Japanese assault on Dondang is contrary to the FrancoJapanese agreement, which gives the Japanese certain military facilities, including aerodromes. Dondang is about 1 00 miles north-east of Hanoi. Earlier the Hanoi correspondent of the United Press said the authorities in Indo-China were taking emergency measures, the new Japanese demands apparently having been rejected. French mobilisation was almost complete and troops were reported to be ready to move at short notice. Trains were standing by to evacuate women and children to the south. Another report from Hanoi said that Nippon Airways had suspended the Hanoi service and removed all its equipment. The Japanese evacuation ships which were at Saigon have sailed, but as far as is known evacuees have not yet left Haiphong. The French authorities said they would resist a Japanese landing if the Japanese attempted to enforce the ultimatum. The French Foreign Office at Vichy yesterday announced that Tokyo had demanded a swift conclusion to the Indo-China talks.