INDO-CHINA MAY GIVE WAY

Southland Times, Issue 24234, 18 September 1940, Page 5

INDO-CHINA MAY GIVE WAY

Negotiations About Japanese Troops

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright)

(Received September 17, 6.30 pan.)

NEW YORK, September 16.

The Hanoi correspondent of the Associated Press of America says that French officials admit unofficially that the negotiations are likely to result in an immediate agreement permitting Japan to establish 25,000 troops in IndoChina, possibly causing China to send troops over the frontier and precipitating a conflict ending France’s rule. All are convinced that only the United States could prevent Japan gaining a possibly unshakable hold. The Vichy Government’s inability to deter the Japanese has strengthened General de Gaulle, but lack of organization has prevented the formation of a movement able to sway the administration’s decisions.

Thailand (Siam) has made the following demands from Indo-China:-— (1) The delimitation of the Thailand-Indo-China border, with the deepest channel of the Mekong river forming the boundary, also the immediate transfer of 40 riparian islands to Thailand. (2) The cession of the Luang Praband a-ea along the northern border to Thailand. (3) A guarantee for the safety of Siamese inhabiting the Laos Steppes in north-west of Indo-China or the cession of this area. TREATY MAY BE DENOUNCED It is understood that Thailand will denounce the non-aggression treaty with Indo-China unless the demands are met. In Tokyo the Canadian Charge d Affaires, Mr E. D. McGreer, made representations to the Foreign Office regarding the bombing 'of the Empress of Australia. The Vice-Minister, Mr Oshashi, expressed regret and promised to indemnify the owners and compensate the injured members of the crew. The British Ambassador (Sir Robert Craigie) saw the Japanese Foreign Minister (Mr Yosuke Matsuoka) and supported Mr McGreer. American consulates throughout China have received a new flood of complaints about the Japanese antiAmerican embargo. One of the largest American companies reported from Tientsin that its total business for the first half of September was six United States dollars, compared with a normal 30,000 dollars. Business men predict that half the American firms in China will be bankrupt before the end of the yea- unless the Japanese restrictions are relaxed.

Mr Wang Ching-wei’s newspaper, The Daily News, announced that Nanking will not recognize the extra-territorial rights of Poland, Holland, Norway, Belgium and other conquered countries. Renewing complaints to Tokyo, it said that China will expect more satisfactory treatment and more honest co-opera-tion from Japan than from nations which have been suppressing China. CLIMAX IN WAR EXPECTED The Hong Kong correspondent of the North American Newspaper Alliance states that informed circles believe that the Sino-Japanese war will reach a climax within a few weeks. The Japanese are in unmistakable internal straits because of the growing economic pinch at home and unrest in the field in China. The desire is for a great 1940 push before the weather prolongs the campaign into winter. The Japanese are reported to want a good victory to strengthen home morale. There is no indication that the Chinese , are not ready for an attack. If the Chinese can defeat’the expected blitzkrieg, the Japanese are likely to have their worst winter since the attempt at a new order was started.

LIFE OF BRITISH PARLIAMENT (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, September 16. It is expected that the Prime Minister, Mr Winston Churchill, will make an early statement in the House of Commons about the prolongation oi the life of the present Parliament, which, by the terms of the Parliament Act, automatically ends on November 26. The maximum life of five years since the last General Election will be completed on that date.

During the four years of the last war the life of Parliament was similarly prolonged by special legislation. When the House of Commons was elected in January 1911 it continued in existence until November 25, 1918.