Communists Over-running Indo-China

Chronicle (Levin), 4 January 1949, Page 5

Communists Over-running Indo-China

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter

* covyright) *

Reeeived Monday, ».2o p.m. MANILA, Jan. 3. Aecording to an observer wTho recenty returned from Indo-China, the Freneh are losing the wai' against the Com-inunist-led Yietminh rebels who already occupy mpre than one-third of the colony's land, says the Manila Bulletin. The estimated 100,000 Freneh troops fighting in the least known of ali colonial wars, are admittedly insufficient to cheek or control the spread of a well-armed rebellion which has grown steadily in strength and infiuenee since the end of the .Japanese oceupation. Tlie Yietminh rebels are reported to bc equipped with plentiful supplies of Japanese guns and ammuniaon as weil as modern American weapons smuggled from China. •' The Bulletin 's infonuant describes conditions in Hanoi and Raigon as most insecure with people living in terrur of guerrilla raiders. Robberies, murders and horrible atrocities are commonplace in the areas surrounding Saigon. In addition to the Vietminh, the Freneh are fighting an estimated 10,000 Japanese soldiers left behind after the oceupation and German and other deserters from the Freneh Foreigu

Legion. , The Saigon newspaper Union Fran caise, summed up the military situation in mid-December: "No progress what soever has been made toward pacilica- { tion since 1945. Tliere is no real [ securitjr from north to south Indo- j China, and oue can sav the situation is getting worse. The Annamite population hesitates to join the loyal Frencii beeause they fear tlie protection we can offer them is insufficient. ' ' The Bulletin 's informant says that without additional military strength from France, Indo-China could be in Communist hands within a year and further assistance from France was uuiikely for political reasons.