FRENCH HOPES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 228, 25 September 1940, Page 7

FRENCH HOPES.

"LOYAL ENTENTE." Vichy Foreign Minister On Pact With Japan. United Press Association. — Copyright LONDON, Sept. 24. The French Foreign Minister, M. Baudonin, said France was granting Japan air bases in Indo-China, also the right of passage for 6000 troops, states a message from Vichy. He said this was not an offensive action against China, but was to cover a possible evacuation by the Japanese from Canton. France and Japan had signed a military agreement and a commercial agreement was being negotiated. Japan would receive economic preference over all Powers, said M. Baudouin. He added: "France hopes that the signature of the pact, in which she recognises Japan's dominating political and economic interests in the Far East, will prove the beginning; of a loyal Franco-Japanese entente." "Ho Axis Prenue." The Axis had not exerted pressure to secure the French acceptance of the Japanese demands, he said. France agreed to make the concessions when Mr. Cordell Hull, United States Secretary of State, told her that the United States realised the necessity of her doing so. According to a, message from Hanoi French circles there said the agreement did not provide for the Canton army's entry into Indo-China, although it was admitted that the French agreed to discuss the question in the future. Commenting on Tokyo's announcement of peaceful and friendly entry into Indo-China, French officials said: "Anyone timing across the border in the middle of the night, in combat formation and using arms, is hardly friendly." A message from Washington says the State Department categorically denies IM. Baudouin's statement that the I United States approved the French con- | cessions to Japan in Indo-Ghina. A ! spokesman said: "This Government ha« not at any time or in any way approval the French concessions to Japan. The attitude of this Government to develop- ! nients in Indo-China ie as expressed by I Mr. Hull to-day and previously."