95
6.
ECONOMIC.
(1)
H.M.S, "WOODCOCK" has returned from HONGAY (F.I.C.) to which place she was sent to enquire into the coal sit a ion there and, if yos i le to arrange for the transportation of coal to HOYKOT. She repor s as follows:-
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There are in HONGAY at the prese..t ime Chinese, Tapa ese, French a d Annamites The Chinese Dnberin about 100 me der Col TO SENG FO, arrived really as an occ pational force o discern he Tapa ese forces in the area, but their numbers are too few for his mrpose, or for hai of coping fully with the armed A. amites. It is reported tha se eral of the latter were killed when they offered resista ce the Chinese advance guards on their ar ival. The Chinese have not a tempted to interfere with the political si a ion in the area The Japa efe in HONCAY Bumber about 2000, and there are reported to be a o her 20,000 i the vicinity between HONCAY, HANOI HAIFHOGY but t ese fi les sho ld be treated with reserve. At present the majori y of he Japa ese troops are in occupation of the area known as ISLE AUX B'ISCO S, and a small number are billeted on the mai..la.d. Comunica ion by sanjan
ferly is maintained between the island and the mainla..d and unarmed Japanese 1100μs are occasionally see in the streets The French in te area consis, of some 50 civilians mostly men in the employ of the mines. Altho ch iree to move in and out of their homes they are virt ally under arres, a d are in constant fear of having their homes looted by the Annamites. The latter have, in fact, ejected a number of French families from their homes. The Annamites are the real masters in HOCAY. They mai tai મ people's army of unknown strength under the direction of CRIH TAM CI H, President of the VIETNAM Feoples vernment at HOLCAY. This army is un uniformed and is armed with what appear to be old French rifles a d bayonets probably confiscated by the Jays and handed to theu. Their form of salute is that of the Communist cle.ched fist. It is appare 1 1 at they have taken over the policing of the district, incl dig the gii € of orders to the French. A prominent character is one . CHATLES, a Annamite in the employ of the HONGAY mines with the addi.ional du y ot the liason betwee. the Annamites and the French, by whom he is 030 disliked. M. CHARLES appears to be a somewha repulsive character w o runs with the hare and hun s wi h the hounds- he is well ed ca ed a d Speaks English, Italian, Annanite and Ca
onese.
hly
With re ard to the coal mines, te position a present is n- satisfactory as they have Οι pee WO
for the pas 3 no hs. The foreign staff of the mines, co sistie of abo1 30 le at CAMPHA (auo t 20 miles from HONGAY) are interned, a d despite promises by he Preside of the VIETNAM party to release them in order Q : e the ni es r aning again, no steps have yet bee take.... No i Spectio . of possible and their co..dition is accordi ly k own. There are said o be 3,000 tons of fire coal at HONGAY and a f rther 30,000 01s a the ni es themselves.
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be mines was
Tue atitude of the Chinese towards the party from H.'* "WOODCOCK" which landed from a boat at HONGAY was ot par ic larly frie dly. First of all a Cui ese sentry tried to stop the party landing a all, then when they had one ashore they were menaced by a Chi ese of icer wi h a hand grenade in each hand and kept co ered by a machi e- sectio The Chinese would not allow the ship to be bro. ht riht up to HOWAY. They stated throghtout that they had had no orders from CHUKINO. Their Colonel had disappeared by the second day and it was his second in-com and, accompanied by the Anamite Vice-President (the Preside.t having also departed), wo visited the ship.
It is no longer possi le to obtain a pilot from HONGAY for the last part of the approach to the port. Similarly, it is no lon er possible take a ship into CAMPHA, the channel has become silted up a d t ere is
no dredge available.
O
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