IN INDO CHINA

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21226, 24 September 1940, Page 6

IN INDO CHINA

AGREEMENT REACHED FRANCE AND JAPAN ENTRANCE OF TROOPS (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 23 An agreement has been signed between the Japanese and the French authorities m Indo-China, and Fighting has ceased, says a message from Haiphong. The agreement, which becomes effective immediately, includes provision for the entrance for garrisoning purposes of 6000 Japanese troops, via Haiphong; and the use of three airports m Tongking, including Phuto and Laokay or Phulangthoung, and the Gialam railway. The French Governor-General Admiral Decaux, issued a proclamation stating that the agreement conformed with a “ realistic policy.” He said Japan had agreed to recognise the integrity of Indo-China and the sovereignty of France. The commander-in-chief of the French forces, General Maurice Martin, was stated to be in support of the arrangement. Earlier messages from Hanoi stated that the Japanese crossed the border, attacking Dongdang, about 100 miles north-east of Hanoi, on the northeast frontier of Indo-China, yesterday. According to a despatch from Tokio, the Japanese Foreign spokesman, Mr Suma, attributed the Dongdang skirmish to delay in communicating the terms of the agreement to the French border officers. No Territorial Designs Mr Sumar said Japan was entirely without territorial designs in IndoChina and did not intend to provoke the French. Inasmuch as the agreement was based on peaceful talks between the two countries, there could be no objection to it from any foreign country.

BITTER FIGHTING

FRANCO-JAPANESE CLASH SURRENDER OF ARMY (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. copyright) (Received Sept. 24, 3.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 23 The Domei broadcast states that, bitter fighting is progressing between the French and Japanese on the northern frontier of Indo-China, after all-night sporadic engagements in the vicinity of Dongdang. The French fired on Japanese crossing the border shortly after midnight, despite the notification to the French commander that the Japanese were proceeding under the terms of the Hanoi agreement. Overcoming the opposition, the Japanese occupied the heights southward of Dongdang this morning. A broadcast claimed that the French used gas.

TOKIO, Sept. 23 The Imperial headquarters announced that the Indo-China Army surrendered at 11 o’clock this morning and was disarmed by the Japanese.

JAPANESE ATTACKS

ASSURANCE TO FRANCE INTERESTS IN FAR EAST (United Press Asn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 24, 3.15 p.m.) HANOI, Sept. 23 The Japanese are reported to have attacked three outposts at Dongdang, Binhai and Chinma. The French issued a communique that the Japanese forces attacked the French after receiving formal notification of the signing of the agreement. They added that the French granted the Japanese special facilities in Indo-China, in return for which Japan gave an assurance that she would respect France’s rights and interests in the Far East. General Nishi Hara is at present delaying the carrying out of the agreement and has postponed the landing of the troops at Haiphong.

PROTEST BY CHINA

DESTRUCTION OF RAILWAY MEASURES OF SELF-DEFENCE (United Tress Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 24, 3.15 p.m.) CHUNGKING, Sept. 23 The Chinese say that the Japanese are unable to attack from IndoChina for at least a fortnight. They point out that the Chinese have destroyed the Laokay Bridge, also a section of the HaiphongKunming railway. The Chinese Foreign Office has strongly protested to the French authorities in Indo-China against the agreement with Japan. It asserted: China is entitled to any measures of self-defence deemed necessary. It added that the French must bear the responsibility of losses and consequences.

AMERICA DISAPPROVES

STATUS QUO UPSET CORPELL HULL'S STATEMENT (United Press Asn. —Elec: Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 24. 3.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 Mr Cordell Hull declared that the status quo of Indo-China is upset

through duress. He reiterated the disapproval of the United States, but did not indicate possible United States steps to give concrete weight to that disapproval