INDO-CHINA SITUATION

Evening Star, Issue 23691, 26 September 1940, Page 10

INDO-CHINA SITUATION

FURTHER CLASHES REPORTED AGREEMENT REGARDED AS CANCELLED HAIPHONG, September 25. ‘ ("Received September 26, at 9.15 a.m.) French official circles declare that since the Japanese are continuing to infringe the term's of the Hanoi agreement by trying to enter Indo-China forcibly the French regard the agreement as cancelled. There were some minor exchanges of rifle and machine-gun fire again yesterday afternoon between the French and Japanese in north Indo-China. A message from Hanoi says it is officially stated that the Japanese renewed the Kwangai border attacks this afternoon with increased intensity. According to a message from Shanghai the Japanese army paper, ‘ Sinshunpao,’ commenting on IndoChina, says: “Should misunderstanding arise between Washington and Tokio, leading to a crisis, Japan will give a blow to any opposition, regardless of what happens.” FIFTY-MILE FRONT HANOI, September 25. (Received September 26, at 10.40 a.m.) It is officially stated that border fighting along a 50-mile front is centred at Langsou. The latest reports are that the Japanese vanguard has reached Keh, along the Langson-Caobank highway. The Japanese have also reached the vicinity of Lacbinh, along the Lang-son-Mokay highway.

ENTRY VIA HAIPHONG JAPANESE UNITS ADVANCING TOKIO, September 25. (Received September 26, at 1.30 p.m.) The Japanese southern China forces, it is announced, have started advancing undisclosed units of Jaipanese troops into Indo-China via Haiphong. WILL STANO FIRM DECISION OF IHDO-CHINA’S PEOPLE HANOI, September 25. (Received September 26, at 1.30 p.m.) It is officially stated that the French remain, firmly decided to carry out the terms of the Hanoi agreement. However, Judo-China cannot tolerate that an agreement hardly signed! should be broken by the initiative of the Southern China Command. Indo-China remains decided to oppose itself by force to the Japanese Southern China army’s attack. POSITION AT LANGSON FRENCH WITHDRAWAL ANNOUNCED LONDON, September 25. (Received September 26, at 2 p.m.) It is officially announced in Hanoi that the French withdrew from Langson while the Japanese were encircling it with superior numbers. ITALY SUPPORTS AGGRESSORS DISCUSSIONS IN ROME TOKIO, September 25. (Received September 26, at 11.40 a.m.) The Rome correspondent of ‘ Yomiuri ’ said the Ambassador (Mr Amau) and Count Ciano discussed recent international conditions, during which conversations Ciano is reported to have supported the Japanese entry into Indo-China. TALKS IN AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND SERVICE CHIEFS MELBOURNE, September 25. (Received September 26, at 8 a.m.) Major-general Sir John Duigan and Group-captain H. W. L. Saunders, the New Zealand Service Chiefs, were guests at a reception given by the Lord Mayor (Mr Coles). ■ “ Australia and New Zealand, standing together, will continue to fight side by side with Britain to bring tho war to a successful conclusion,” said Sir John Duigan. The military visit for staff talks had achieved something. New Zealand was Australia’s “ little brother,” and would do its part. SINGAPORE DEFENCES LOCAL CORPS TO BE FORMED SINGAPORE, September 25. (Received September 26, at 12.5 p.m.) The Government has issued plans for the formation of a local defence corps on a voluntary basis. British subjects and British protected persons arc eligible. PURCHASE OF AIRCRAFT GIFTS FROM OVERSEAS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 25. (Received September 26, at 1.5 p.m.) Gifts towards the purchase of aircraft include £16,886 from the people of Southland, New Zealand, ami £lO,000 from the people of Tasmania,