Manawatu Evening Standard. MONDAY, SEPT. 16, 1940. INDO-CHINA ISSUE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 246, 16 September 1940, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. MONDAY, SEPT. 16, 1940. INDO-CHINA ISSUE.

Tile Japanese are nothing if not a persistent race. To a prolonged and costly campaign in China, which has tremendously increased their liabilities, is being added an attempt to exploit the situation in Indo-China following the disruption of the French Empire, and, not discouraged with their lack of success to date, they have presented fresh demands. Never over-modest, the Japanese have asked for three strong air bases in strategically important Tongking. through which passage for 60,000 troops is sought, and the use of the recently strengthened naval base in the Day qf Cam-ranli. Against these demands the French Governor is holding out, and negotiations are reported to be virtually suspended. But the Vichy Government has jeopardised the chances of withstanding the pressure from Tokio. There is even a report of SinoJapanese hostilities in IndoChina. The position is significant, reflecting the opportunism of both Japan and Germany. Some weeks ago, a meeting in Tokio urged the Government “to take a determined stand toward Britain,” and it was said on good authority that “a soiithward lightning thrust will be timed to coincide with any attempt to invade England.” The signs all point to the persistent demands on.' Indo-China being another logical step in a sustained chain of events.

On June 19, shortly after the French capitulation, the influential Toliokai Party passed a resolution asking the Government to carry out a “protective” occupation of French Indo-China on tlie grounds tliat the collapse of the French. Government left the area without effective control, and that it had been an avenue for supplying munitions to China. Simultaneously, in an effort to eliminate the source of friction with Japan, the IndoChina authorities banned the transit of goods into Chinese territory ruled by the Chungking Government. The prohibition applied to the Yunnan railway, though the highway and rail routes through British Burma remained. To temporarily meet the situation, Great Britain put her pride in her pocket and closed even that route —it was necessary to state in the House of Commons that, contrary to rumour, Britain is keeping her word in that connection. But the Japanese appetite for demands has remained unsatisfied and the intention to embarrass the British Empire in its most critical hour is patent. On the same day in June when the Tohokai Party passed its resolutjon the Government decided to approach Germany and Italy on the subject of Indo-China in a “friendly” way. After Germany invaded Holland, Japan notified the

leading world Powers that she held “the most serious concern” in the maintenance of both the economic and political status of the Netherlands East Indies. Her Minister of Commerce, now on a special mission to Batavia, says his aim is to “promote closer economic ties between our countries on the solid foundation of friendship. I strongly desire to contribute in the Far Eastern sphere towards world stability.” But the West —and Britain and America in particular—do not overlook Japan’s persistent proclamation of the “East for Easterners” doctrine. Her activities in Indo-China are scarcely productive of confidence.