FIGHTING IN INDO-CHINA

Evening Star, Issue 23690, 25 September 1940, Page 10

FIGHTING IN INDO-CHINA

JAPAN’S " PEACEFUL " ADVANCE STRATEGIC POINTS ATTACKED CHINESE ARMY MASSED ON BORDER LONDON, September 24. The Japanese made two daylight air raids on the strategic railway border town of Langsou. They also resumed shelling in the afternoon. Six Japanese planes twice concentrated bombs on the Langson airport and market place, and fighting occurred at Langson all the afternoon. The French announced that the Indo-Chinese had abandoned Dong Dang. The Japanese planes which bombed Langson are apparently operating from an aircraft carrier. A hospital train from the border arrived at Hanoi carrying over 100 wounded. Red Cross stations are established throughout the city awaiting an emergency. The army has commandeered motor cars. The French insist that the Japanese are responsible for the border fighting because Sunday’s agreement does not prpvide for the Canton Army’s entry into Indo-China, although it is admitted that the French agreed to discuss this question in the future. Commenting on Tokip’s announcement of a peaceful and friendly entry into Indo-China, officials said; “Anyone coming across the border in the middle of the night in combat formation and using arms is hardly friendly.” CONCESSION TO JAPAN. The French Foreign Minister (M. Baudouin) stated that the granting by Franco to Japan of air bases in ludoChina and the right of passage for 6,000 troops was not an offensive action against China, but a cover for possible Japanese evacuation from Canton. Prance and Japan had signed a military agreement, and a commercial agreement was being negotiated. Japan would receive economic preference over all Powers. “ France hopes that the signature of the pact, in which she recognises Japan’s dominating political and economic interests in the Far East, will prove the beginning of a loyal FrancoJapanese entente,” M. Baudouin said. The Axis Powers had not exerted pressure to secure acceptance of the Japanese demands. France had agreed to the concessions when the United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) told her the United States Government realised the necessity for doing so. CASUALTIES ON BOTH SIDES. A message from Haiphong states that a French communique states that the French suffered 60 casualties, a considerable number of whom were killed. The Japanese admit that a number of their troops were killed. It is understood the Chinese have proclaimed martial law throughout the provinces of Yunnan and Kwangai, which border on Indo-China. CHINA’S ATTITUDE. “ China had plenty of time to prepare for this eventuality and .our actions will proceed according to a prearranged plan,” declared the Chinese spokesman in Chungking, commenting on the Indo-China agreement. It is estimated that 200,000 Chinese are massed along the border ready to resist any Japanese advance towards Kunming. Large-scale destruction of all communication facilities on the border is at present progressing, and whole sections of the Indo-China railway inside Chinese territory are being removed. Evacuation of the Chinese population and Government institutions at Kunming have been speeded up, as it is feared the Japanese will resort to a severe aerial bombardment of the illdefended city shortly from their newly-acquired air bases. TIME FDR AMERICA TO ACT CHUNGKING, September 24. (Received September 25, at 9.15 a.m.) Takun Pao said French realism was synonymous with surrender. “ The time has arrived,” ho said, “for America to adopt effective action in the western Pacific and to replace her empty words, which are useless.” PROTEST FROM CHINA CHUNGKING, September 24. (Received September 25, at 9.30 a.m.) The Chinese Cabinet is understood to have protested to France, and will hold Franco responsible for any losses or damage incurred as a result of the Indo-China agreement.