"IRON CURTAIN" CENSORSHIP IN INDO-CHINA

Chronicle (Levin), 12 February 1947, Page 8

"IRON CURTAIN" CENSORSHIP IN INDO-CHINA

• LONDON, Feb. 9. Forced by what he deseribes as "the iron. curtain censorship " imposed by the Freneh autlioritics in Saigon, Mr. Doon Campbell, Beuter's cprrespondent in1 Indo-China, has s'ent the following report of an interview with Dr. Ho Chi Minh by special eourier to Beuter's bureau in Singapore: Dr. Ho Chi Minh said his Government would appeai to (Jnited Xations for arbitration if France could _not settle, by peaceful means, the present' eonfiiet which was affeeting very seriously the economy of the country.- Dr. Ho Chi Minh, when asked on what terms the Vietnamese Government was prepared to cease the hostilities and resume negotiations with the French. said that the Vietnamese only wanted national unity for the Anname spealting States and for Cochin-China, Annam and Tongking independence. WThen that object was obtained they were ready to cease hostilities and mahe peaee. He added: "The French statenient 'that the Vietminh is a tool of the Japanese is pure invention. The French saysthe Vietminh is Conlmunist, but it is eomposed of different politics! parties (Soeialist, Democrat, Nationalist and Marxist), and a non-party organisation (Oatholic, Buddhist, Confucian and Landlord). Ninety per cent. of its members were simply patriots fighting for independence. " "Our programme is neither Communist nor even Socialist in colour, " said Dr. Ho Uhi Minh. ."It is to produce enongh so that every citizen has sutticient rice and cloth not to die of 'cold and hunger. Last year we were able to avoid starvation and teach all the c.itizens how to read and write. Last year we granted universal suffrage to all over 18 years of age and Ihe National' Assembly adopted a democratic Constitution. We have not gone as f'ar in national isation as France or Britain." Dr. Ho Chi Minh concluded: "We knovv the French are better arnied than us and that whatever the final outcome war brings devastation and ruin to our country. Wliy tlien should we provoke a war ? Unitv, independence and peace — that is what we want. ' '