IT
Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned
to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.]
150
From FRANCE.
Telegram (en clair) from Sir . Phipps (Faris)
14th October, 1987.
D. BY BAG.
14th October, 1957.
R.
15th October, 197.
No. 613 SAVING.
122
Your telegram No. 200 of October 18th.
I found Monsieur léger today even more alarmed than before on this subject owing to pessimistic reports from the Governor- General of Indo-China, as a result of which the French Government have definitely decided to forbid transport of arms and munitions, whether French or foreign, over French railway in Indo-China.
Governor-General declares that if transit were allowed the Japanese tould not only occupy Hainan and Paracels, but eventu: 1– ly bombard the French railway and also stir up trouble in biam, where conditions are threatening, thus taking the French in the rear. He boes so far as to press ior some kind of international action to safeguard French interests, but this Monsieur léger
admits is out of the question.
Monsieur éger points out that the French Government are already being assailed by requests from foreign Governments such as Russia and Germany for permission to send ar s, etc., to China over their railway; in these requests are granted France vill in Japanese eyes be saddled with the sole responsibility for supply- ing Chine, since this railway is not the only sure runnel through which China can be supplied over-lend. The Canton- ovlun Railway is Chinese and has been bombarded already and cut in sever: 1
places.
Quite art from above more or less immediate dangers, onsieur éger says that the French Government feel disinclined
even
Page 150Page 151
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.