DAILY DRILLING IN INDO-CHINA

Southland Times, Issue 24231, 14 September 1940, Page 5

DAILY DRILLING IN INDO-CHINA

BUSINESS MEN ARE MOBILIZED COURAGE GAINED BY FRENCH MR HULL’S STATEMENT RECALLED

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright)

(Received September 13, 7.30 p.m.) HANOI, September 12.

The French seemingly are taking up courage as a result of the statement by the United States Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) on Indo-China. There has been an almost total mobilization of business men in uniform, who drill daily. French naval guards surround the Government building and the evacuation of Hanoi is virtually at a standstill. Coincident with the return to confidence the French are reported to have obtained Japanese assurances that the Jdjpanese army in Canton will refrain from further threats for the duration of the negotiations, which will be resumed on the return of the Japanese mission from Tokyo on Friday. Military reports from North China state that guerrillas totalling 300,000 are said to be carrying out the greatest

guerrilla offensive of the war, tearing up railways and highways in Japanese occupied areas. Mr Kobayashi’s mission has arrived in Batavia. This is the first time in history that a Japanese Minister has officially visited the Dutch East Indies. The Economic Director, Mynheer H. J. Vonmook, headed those who welcorned the Japanese delegation and expressed the hope that the economic and oil discussions, probably opening on September 18, would be successful. Mr Kobayashi said that Japan attached the greatest importance to the friendship of the Dutch East Indies. “The aim of my mission is to promote closer economic ties between our countries on a solid foundation of friendship,” he said. “The Dutch East Indies are endowed with exceedingly rich natural resources and extensive fertile fields, while Japan is highly industrialized, exporting manufactured goods. For this reason Japan places great expectations in Dutch East Indies resources. I strongly desire to contribute in the Far Eastern sphere towards world stability and the welfare of the peoples in a spirit of mutual assistance and sympathetic understanding.”

BRITAIN MAY OBTAIN ARGENTINE CREDIT

(Received September 13, 9.40 p.m.)

BUENOS AIRES, September 12.

It is officially stated that the Argentine and British Governments are studying an agreement by which the Argentine will cede to Britain a credit of between £30,000,000 and £40,000,000 for the purchase of meat and grain. British-owned rail-roads and packinghouses in the Argentine would be security.

NAZI - PREPARATIONS FOR INVASION

ISTANBUL, September 13. According to a neutral informant just arrived from Germany, Herr Hitler has collected 1500 to 2000 naval speedboats, each capable of holding 70 men, for the invasion of Britain. Many are stated to have been destroyed by the recent Royal Air Force bombing raids. The same informant declares that ill-feeling has lately grown considerably between the German troops and the Nazi Black Guards and that clashes have occurred between the officers on leave and young Black Guards who have never been to the front. The issue of larger rations to the Black Guards is also causing resentment.