IN INDO-CHINA

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21225, 23 September 1940, Page 8

IN INDO-CHINA

EMERGENCY MEASURES MOBILISATION BY FRANCE (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 22 The Hanoi correspondent of the United Press says the authorities in Indo-China are taking emergency measures, the new Japanese demands apparently having been rejected. French mobilisation is almost complete and troops are reported to be ready to move at short notice. Trains are standing by to evacuate women and children to the south. Another report from Hanoi says that Nippon Airways has suspended the Hanoi service and removed all its equipment. The Japanese evacuation ships which were at Saigon have sailed, but as far as is known evacuees have not yet left Haiphong. The French authorities said they would resist a Japanese landing if the Japanese attempted to enforce the ultimatum. The French Foreign Office at Vichy yesterday announced that Tokio had demanded a swift conclusion to the Indo-China talks. Japan’s Determination Lieutenant - General Mishihara, leader of the Japanese Mission, said the Japanese attitude did not threaten Indo-China’s territorial integrity, nor French sovereignty, but Japan was convinced that the situation demanded the setting of a time limit for a detailed final settlement. He added that the Japanese attitude was based on the Tokio-Vichy understanding which provided that the French and Japanese should settle locally details of the military facilities which might be granted to Japan to assist her operations against Marshal Chiang Kai-shek. Stand by Thailand A message from Singapore says the Thailand Assembly agreed to extend the Constitution for a further 10 years. Sixty members signed a document, which was submitted to the Premier, undertaking to enlist in the front line in the event of Thailand becoming involved in war with any country.