READY TO MOVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24410, 23 September 1940, Page 7

READY TO MOVE

TROOPS IN INDO-CHINA THE JAPANESE DEMANDS APPARENTLY REJECTED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 21. (Received Sept. 22, at 11 p.m.) According to a Vichy message the Foreign Office has announced that Tokio demanded the swift conclusion of the Indo-China talks. The Hanoi correspondent oi the United Press of America says that the authorities are taking emergency measures. The new Japanese demands have apparently been rejected French mobilisation is 'l- - complete and troops are reported to be ready to move at short notice. Trains are standing by to evacuate the women and children to ♦he south. Authoritative reports from Tokio state that Japan is prepared for a major crisis in Japanese-American relations over Indo-China The Japanese are confident that Indo-China at the last minute will accept their ultimatum. In view of Mr Cordell Hull's statement, they anticipate American retaliation, probablv in the form of stiff embargoes. It is believed in Tokio that ; he Imperial Conference irrevocably decided on an immediate push southward including the Dutch East Indies Then an attempt will be made to force the United States to lift the embargoes in return for Indies f in and rubber. The Japanese believe, in view of M. Baudouin's revelation of the United States' failure to promise definite support to IndoChina, that the French will probably announce' on Sunday acceptance of the Japanese demands. The main Japanese objective is naval bases from which they could almost immediately strike at the East Indies before the American embargoes could be effective. Nippon Airways has suspended its Hanoi service and removed all equipment. The Japanese evacuation ships at Saigon have sailed, but, as far as is known, the evacuees have not yet left Haiphong. The French authorities said they would resist a Japanese landing if it was attempted to enforce the ultimatum