IN THE FAR EAST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1940, Page 5

IN THE FAR EAST

SOVIET-CHINA TRADE JAPANESE CRITICISM OF BRITISH LOAN. WARFARE ON THAILAND BORDERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, December 12. A message from Chungking states that China has signed a contract with the Soviet whereby China will deliver during the coming year 100,600,000 Chinese dollars’ worth of tea to the Soviet. An editorial in the Tokio newspaper “Asahi,” commenting on English and American pressure on Japan, says that the new British loan of £10,000.000 to Chungking synchronises with the extension of American restrictions on iron and steel exports. It is obvious that the two actions were taken in concert, as part of collective pressure against Japan, Such a flagrant manifestation of hostility toward Japan by Britain and America will stiffen Chungking’s resistance and thus prolong the Sino-Japanese conflict and intensify the rivalry between Nanking and Chungking. From Bangkok it is reported that the High Command states that Thailand frontier forces fired big guns, rifles, and machine-guns across the Mekong River at Thakek, while aerodromes at Thakek, Vientiane, and Savanakhet were bombed, in retaliation for the recent French raid. One Thailand plane was lost.

It is said that 11 people were killed yesterday when the French shelled Mukdahan from Savanakhet.

BRITISH CREDITS MR SOONG TO VISIT LONDON. TOTALITARIAN CONTROL IN JAPAN. LONDON, December 13. Reports from Chungking state that Mr T. V. Soong, former Chinese Minister of Finance, who is at present in the United States, is expected to visit London shortly to conduct negotiations for new credits to China. The Tokio newspaper “Asahi” says the Government is planning>to invoke the national mobilisation law to restrict and prohibit Press publication of diplomatic, economic and other important matters for the increased protection of State secrets. Simultaneously other articles will be invoked, including the regulation of demand and supply of daily necessaries to intensify war time measures. The Domei news agency states that Japanese bombers destroyed 44 grounded Chinese planes, including 22 Sovietbuilt fighters, in a raid on Shianyung, 150 miles west of Kenming. From Hanoi it is reported, that the French, in a “reprisal air raid,” dropped 24 bombs on Muk in Thailand, west of Savannakhet. Some hit an airfield. Two incendiary bombs struck the porch of the Governor’s house. Thai planes on Wednesday bombed Saravane and Savannakhet.