PROGRESS IN INDO-CHINA

Chronicle (Levin), 8 January 1947, Page 5

PROGRESS IN INDO-CHINA

Received VVednesdav, 12.30 a.m. HANGI, Jau. 7. French paratroops dropped over tlie Namditih area 60 niiles south west of llauoi. The Namdinh garrisou has been holding out agaiust strong \'etenamese attaeks since Deceniber 10. Tlie pai'atroo]) operatiou is ollieially de seribed as successful. Delegates representiiig the Vietnani, ihe Eree Laos, and the Eree Canibodia Governments have written to the United States Governnient asking it to bring the Indochinese situation before the United Nations to prevent war. The leader of tlie Eree Raos forees wlio desired to reniain unidentiiied toki tlie I'nited Press eorrespondent that the letter was the first coiicerted aetion of the three groups which formed a pernianent joint cominittee " to assun." etl'ective practical etforts in the comiiion battle against French iiiiperial ism. ' ' The inforniant asserted that the three groups now have half a inillioii wellarmed trooiis and could niobilise 10, 000,000. Tlie eorrespondent says the Eree Raos and Free Canibodia Governments represent the forces in those two provinees desiring independence such as was achieved by the Vietnani Government before tlie preseni jighting. Repeated clashes between tlie French and Yietnaniese are still oeeurring on the outskirts of the European quarter of Ha n oi, but life inside the eity is gradually returiiing to normal. French officers said that 011 Saturdny night their forces repulsed three strong attaeks on the European quarter and later captured a heavily fortifted Yietnanfese position. Yietnaniese with artillerv •• support tried to eapture French positions along the iinportant railway line live niiles northeasf of Hanoi 011 the foad to Langson, Imt were repulsed leaving 15 dead inchiding two soh.liers who liave been identified as Japanese. Despatclies from Jndochina reaching Paris say that snlistantial French reiiiforcements are beginning to arrive. Most of them are destined for Hanoi Avliere tlie French are at present waiting for an assurance about neutral civiliaiis before pressing their attack 011 tlie Vietnamese avIio are holding parts of the eity.