Evening star., 1941-08-02
u. 5. Hits France
For Permitting
japanese Move
WeIIes' Statement
Hints Aid Moy Be
Given Free French
BY GARNETT d. HORNER.

The United States today took
France sharply to task for al
lowing the japanese to establish
bases in French Indo-China,
and warned that future French
American relations depended on
effectiveness of Frances defense
of her territories against DOM
ination by Axis powers.
An official statement by Acting
Secretary Of State Welles, assert
ing that the Japanese move in
Indo-China directly menaces Amer
ican security" declared that the
United States Government lis un-
able to accept" Frances explanation
that japanese assistance" was
needed to protect Indo China
against other powers.
There was a hint in the state
ment that the United States might
extend aid TO Free France or local
authorities in other French terri
tories such as North Africa If they
should act TO defend the remaining
colonial French empire against any
attempt by the Axis to gain control
OF them through a deal with the
Vichy government.
Vichy's Sincerity Questioned.
In view of the Indo-Chnia sltus-
ton and Frances failure to defend
Syria against German and Italian
moves there. Mr.. WelleS SAID the
United States is impelled to ques-
ton" the Vichy governments sin
cerity in its promises to preserve
French territories for the French
people.
In its relations with the French
government at Vichy and with the
local French authorities in French
territories Mr. Welles said, 'the
United States will be governed by
the manifest effectiveness with
which these authorities endeavor 10
protect these territories from DOM
ination and control by those powers
which are seeking to extend their
rule by force and conquest or by the
threat thereof"
Timing of the statement appeared
unusually significant in view Of re-
ports from Vichy concerning an i'm
pending cabinet shakeup this week
end which might lead to further
collaboration with Germany and
other Axis powers. 1t constituted a
1 fiat warning to France against going
{ too far in collaboration with the
I Axis and an appeal to the French
people to resist any such moves.
Virtually Turned Over to Japan.
Mr.. Welles declared that in effect
Frances latest agreement with
Japan concerning Indo-China "vr-
tually turns over TO Japan an i'm.
portant part of the French Empire
despite repeated French assurances
| that territories remaining under her
control would be defended against
any aggressive action by third
| powers.
Rejecting French efforts to justify
| the deal with Japan on the ground
/ that japanese help was needed be-
/ cause of a menace to Indo-China BY
| other powers, Mr.. Welles declared
there is no question of any threat
/ to French Indo-China unless 1t lies
in the expanSionist aims of the Jap
anese government.
Turning over of bases to the Japa-
nese for military operations in
Indo- China presents a situation
which has a direct bearing upon the
vital problem Of American security,
Mr.. Welles added.
/ Previously he had asserted that
Japans obvious purpose in estab-
fishing bases in Indo-China was to
facilitate further aggressive action
in the South Pacific area, threaten
ing the Philippine Islands and
| jeopardizing American procure
ment of strategic supplies in the
/ East Indies.
Welles' Statement.
The text of Mr.. Welles' statement
| follows:
/ The French government at Vichy
has given repeated assurances to the
/ Government of the United States
that it would not cooperate with
the Axis powers beyond the obllga-
tions imposed on it by the armistice
and that it would defend the terri
tory under its control against any
aggressive action on the part of
third powers.
This Government has now re-
/ ceived information of the terms of
the agreement between the French
and Japanese governments covering
the so-called common defense OF
French Indo-China. In effect. this
agreement virtually turns over to
Japan an important part OF the
French Empire.
Effort has been made to justify
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