INDO-CHINA

Evening Star, Issue 23689, 24 September 1940, Page 8

INDO-CHINA

AGREEMENT WITH JAPAN FRONTIER FIGHTING CEASES JAPANESE ALLOWED USE OF AIRPORTS Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright HAIPHONG, September 23. An agreement between the Japanese and the French has been signed and fighting has ceased. The agreement, which beemes effective immediately, provides for the entrance for garrisoning purposes of 6,000 Japanese via Haiphong, the use of three airports in Tongking, Phulangthoung, and the Gialam including Phuto, Kaokay, or railway. Vice-admiral Decoux issued a proclamation stating that the agreement conformed to “ a realistic policy.” He said Japan agreed to recognise Indo-China’s integrity and France’s, sovereignty. Vice-admiral Decoux added that the army commander-in-chief, General Maurice Martin, supported the arrangement. THE BORDER INCIDENT JAPAN'S VERSION TOKIO, September 23'. In connection with last night’s Franco-Japanese “ incidents ” on the Indo-China border, an authorised source declares that the Japanese in no way “ invaded ” Indo-China. They were merely entering the territory in accordance with the terms of the agreement permitting them to pass troops. That the French resisted them must have been due to a misunderstanding, hut the matter was soon settled amicably. It is officially stated that “ small numbers of Japanese troops are dead or wounded as a result of the Dong Dang clash.” The Foreign Office Spokesman, Mr K. Suma, attributed the Dong Dang skirmish to delay in communicating the terms of the agreement to the French border officers. Mr Suma said that Japan was entirely without territorial designs in Indo-China, and did not intend to provoke the French. Inasmuch as the agreement was based on peaceful talks between the two countries, there could be no objetion to it from any foreign country. " PEACEFUL ADVANCE " JAPANESE ANNOUNCEMENT TOKIO, September 23. - (Received September 24, at 8 a.m.) An official joint communique issued by the Japanese army and navy states that units of the army and navy to-day started a “ peaceful advance ” through Indo-China. NO FURTHER RESISTANCE INDO-CHINA ARMY SURRENDERS TOKIO, September 23. (Received September 24. at 11.15 a.m.) • Imperial headquarters announced that the Indo-China army surrendered at 11 this morning and was disarmed by the Japanese. BITTER FIGHTING CLASH DN NORTHERN FRONTIER JAPANESE OVERCOME OPPOSITION NEW YORK, September 23. (Received September 24, at 11.15 a.m.) A Domei Agency broadcast states that bitter fighting was in progress between the French and Japanese on the northern frontier of Indo-China after all-night sporadic engagements in the vicinity of Dong Dang. The French fired on Japanese crossing the border shortly after midnight, despite a notification to the French commander that the Japanese were proceeding under the terms of the Hanoi agreement. Overcoming the opposition, the Japanese occupied the heights southward of Dong Dang this morning. The broadcast claimed that the French used gas. JAPANESE RESUME ATTACK LONDON, September 23. (Received September 24, at 1.35 p.m.) The Hanoi correspondent of the Associated Press says the Japanese resumed their attack on French positions near Laugson in the afternoon after Japanese warplanes had bombed Langson aerodrome. TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT FRANCE'S RIGHTS IN FAR EAST TO BE RESPECTED HANOI, September 23. (Received September 24, at 12.30 p.m.) The Japanese are reported to have attacked three outposts at Dong Dang, Binbai, and Cbinma. The French have issued a communique stating that the Japanese forces attacked the French after receiving formal notification of the signing of the agreement. 7t added that the French granted the Japanese special facilities in Indo-China in return for which Japan gave an assurance that she

would respect France’s rights and interests in the Far East. Major-general Nishihara is at present delaying the carrying out of the agreement, and has postponed the landing of troops at Haiphong. CHINESE REACTION PROTEST TO FRENCH AUTHORITIES CHUNGKING, September 23. (Received September 24, at 1 p.m.) The Chinese say the Japanese will be unable to attack from Indo-China for at least a fortnight. They point out that the Chinese destroyed Laokay bridge, also sections of the HaiphongKunmiug railway. The Chinese Foreign Office has strongly protested to the French authorities in Indo-China against the agreement with J apan, and asserted: “ China is entitled to the measures of self-defence deemed necessary.” It added that the French must bear the rseponsibility for losses and consequences. STATUS QUO UPSET UNITED STATES DISAPPROVAL WASHINGTON, September 23. (Received September 24, at 1 p.m.) Mr Cordell Hull declared that the status quo of Indo-China had been upset through duress. He reiterated United States disapproval, but did not indicate possible United States steps to give concrete weight to the disapproval.