NEARING A CLIMAX

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24407, 19 September 1940, Page 6

NEARING A CLIMAX

JAPAN AND INDO-CHINA SHOWDOWN EXPECTED PROBABLY THIS WEEK (United Press Association) , , (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) SHANGHAI, Sept. 18.. (Received Sept. 19, at 1 a.m.) Qualified observers express the opinion that a “showdown ” is coming this week, when possibly Indo-China Will swing to General De Gaulle, accompanied by an appeal for British and American assistance. The Japanese are withdrawing money from the bank. It is confirmed that a special train recently sent to the headquarters of King Bao Dai, Emperor of Annan, is awaiting instructions.” Newspapers in Hongkong state that Mr Nishihara presented final demands to M. Decoux as follows: 1. Indo-China to be divided into three sections, with Tonking under Japanese control, Annam as a buffer ;:one, and the; southern provinces to remain under French control. 2. The establishment of a Japanese air base at Hanoi.' ' 3. The establishment of a Japanese naval base, also Japanese control, in the northern seabelt. A message from Kewilin stares that, according to informed^Circles, the Japanese and French .negotiators at Hanoi have agreed, first, To the landing of Japanese . troops at Haiphong, with a passage only'along the railway;, secondly, the- landing of; 30,0|10 .Japanese,; only,- dn-order not to exceed two-thirds of the French garrison at Tonking; and, thirdly, the Japanese to use Hanoi airfield. The Japanese, however, are insisting on landing 120,000, for which reason the -negotiations are dragging on. -