BRITAIN WATCHFUL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 249, 18 September 1940, Page 7

BRITAIN WATCHFUL.

MAINTENANCE OF STATUS QUO.

(British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 11.40 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 17. In the House of Lords Lord Cal decote (Secretary for the Dominions) made a short .statement on the situation m Indo-China. “His Majesty’s Government has no definite information as to the course of the proceedings, but in view of current reports to the effect that Japan has beeu pressing Indo-China to allow the passage of Japanese troops the British Government lias made it clear to the Japanese Government that it is interested in the maintenance of the status quo in that area,” said Lord Caldecote. HINT OF AGREEMENT.

LONDON, Sept. 17. The Hanoi correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says French officials admit unofficially that the negotiations with Japan are likely to result in an immediate agreement permitting Japan to establish 25.000 troops in lrido-China, possibly causing China to send troops over the frontier and precipitating,a conflict and ending France’s rule. All are convinced that only the United States could prevent Japan gaining a possibly unshakeablc hold. Tho Vicliv Government’s inability to deter the Japanese has strengthened General de Gaulle’s cause, but lack of organisation has prevented the formation. of a movement able to sway the Administration’s decisions.