INDO-CHINA AFLAME WITH ARMED RESISTANCE

Chronicle (Levin), 24 December 1946, Page 5

INDO-CHINA AFLAME WITH ARMED RESISTANCE

Press Assn.

FRENCH TROOPS MAKE STEADY PROGRESS IN HEAVY FIGHTING

By Telegraph

-Copyrig.lt

Received Tuesday, 10.50 a.m. LONDON, December 23. The French authorit'ies have proclaimed martial law uVwoughout Northern Indo-China, the whole of which is now ariame with armed resistance to> the French. A despatch from Hanoi says the French have warned that armed natives not in uniform will be shot, and houses not flying a white flag will be searched. Heavy fighting is continuing in Hanoi and' the French troops are making steady progress, according to the French News Agency.

It adds that operations, which were supported by Spitfires, were slowed down by Vietnamese road blocks, ditches, mines and shellfire. Many buildings were damaged and bridges blown up by the Vietnamese in an offensive showing every sign of thorough preparation. Vietnam forces attacked a number of other places, including the coastal towns of Hue and Tourane, but were checked every where. French armoured nnits are battling for the Rue Cotin, the main thoroughi'are of the IndoUhinese district. Other French troops are reported to be advancing down the Boulevard Gambetta. The French News Agency, ckuoting official circles, said that bodie^ of Japanese were identified among the guards killed in defending the Vietnamese President's Hanoi residence, which was stormed yesterday. Operations are also progressmg against the former barracks oi Indo-Chinese guards, which the Vietnamese are reported to- have transformed into a fortified stronghold. French planes and artillery

are constantly attacking the bari racks [ The Vietnamese radio station at ■ Bachmai is reported to have been ! virtually destroyed yesterday but j bhe Vietnamese are still broadcasting from a "clandestine" station. The French police have arrested '•numerous Vietnamese personages" on charges. of belonging to the Tran Trong Kim Government, set up in March, 1945, by the Japanese. Hanoi is still without electricity and water, although French engin--ers are trying to restore the damaged power piant. In Paris today the Prime Minis,er, M. Leon Blum, told the National Assembly that the situation in Indo-China was not reassunng, but it was "not alarmmg." He revealed that he was sending the noted armoured warfare cxpert, General le Clerc, to the scene, and added that violence in Indo-China would not change the French Government's colonial pol'icy. "When cairn is restored, our policy will remain the establishment'of a free Vietnam Republic.