Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-05-20
France Preparing to Save
Colonies From the japs'
immediate and Decisive Steps
!: Planned In |ndo- China.


Paris, May 19-M. Francois Delon-
Gle. Republican deputy for Indo-China,
has submitted to the special parlia-
mentary committee on naval aHa1rs, d
remarkable report on the urgent ne
cessity for Strengthening the defences
Of Indo- China against the peril of the
japanese invasion.
"Indo-C China" he said, "has only two
enemies to fear, namely Japan alone or
China encouraged and supported by
Japan. The former constitutes a real
danger for Japan has much to gam
and little to risk and her isolated po-
sition makes her almost invulnerable
to us. She could in few weeks throw
100. OOO men into Indo-China and easily
reinforce this first landing party. The
phase of such struggle would con-
sist Of Japan's efforts to secure mas
terry of the sea in order to reinforce her
troops. Owing to Japan's great superb
GRITTY in naval force in Far Eastern
waters, our feeble division would not
risk a decisive battle. but would fall
back upon our only naval base. Saigon.
There 1t would be blockaded as the
Russians were blockaded within Port
Arthur.
"with our division thus bottled UP
Japan could oppose the junction of the
blockaded warships with the relief
squadron and having secured the mas
terry of the sea the Japanese transports
would be free to land invading forces.
She has two admirable anchorages
ready for her transports at Kamranh
bay and Port DayOt. She probably
would take the first as nearer to Sal
gon. Japan would thus be established
I'D the sea route connecting TOnquin
and Cochin-China and who would pre-
vent il? The present condition OF our
defences could not resist such an at
tack. And within brief time Indo-
China would be the prey Of the inva-
der"
The report then examines the means
which il is necessary to adopt for the
defence of the colony and says the
best solution of the problem is to
strongly reinforce Indo-China SO that
the colony may be able to defend it
self for several months against the
Japanese until French naval divisions
reached the theater of operations. The
program to accomplish consists OF
large augmentation OIL tHe id'di ioiS
in the Far East, an increase of the MIL
itary force of occupation to a mini
mum OF SIS, 900 men, the establishment
of strong naval bases at Saigon. KAN
ranh bay, Along bay and Pulocondoi
and the establishment of torpedo boat
and submarine boat stations at st
James, Kamranh bay and Turen.
The report concludes with asserting
that it would be puerile to disregard
the gravity of the situation. There
fore it is necessary to make large sac
rifices to place Indo-China in readi-
ness to meet the shock.
Detailed estimates are given as &c
the cost of the work. namely, the for
LITIGATION of TOnquin. guns and arma-
ment, $22. 0OO, 900; coast defences, includ-
ing Strengthening the naval base al
Saigon. S14.0O000O. and the establish
ment of torpedo and other stations
$4,000. 0OU, a total Of $42. 100000.
NJ. Deloncle is a member of the spec
ial parliamentary committee on naval
affairs which appointed him to submit
a report with a program of defences
necessary to place IndO-China In
condition to resist an attack.