Evening star., 1941-02-27
TokioUItimatum
Reported Given
To |ndo-China
Acceptance Of Final
japanese Proposal
Is Demanded
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
TOXIC, Feb. 27.-Japan was re-
liably reported tonight to have de-
livered an ultimatum to French
Indo-China demanding that she
accept Japan's final" proposal of
mediation in the Indo-Chinese-
Thailand border dispute by mid
night Friday.
1t was understood Japan had
given notice she would take force
full action" if a favorable reply was
not forthcoming.
The nature of the "forceful &C
ton" was not disclosed, but it was
understood that the foreign Office
had notified Vichy that unless a
favorable reply was Forthcoming the
matter would pass to the jurisdic-
ton of military officers in the
French colony.
Alterations Barred.
Competent sources said the For
eign Office would accept no altera-
ton of the japanese mediation pro-
posal and would extend the time
limit only if it was satisfied that
French colonial authorities were
awaiting confirmation of their stand
from Vichy and not playing for
time"
Japan's 'forceful action" would be
taken to win justice for Thailand," :"
it was said.
Significantly, the Admiralty an
nounced appointment of Vice Ad-
miral Hiroki Yamamoto as COM
mander of Mako naval base, in the
Pescadores Islands, part of Formosa,
of the East China coast. Yamamoto
1t believed to have taken the post
already.
The japanese government ordered
japanese residents of French Indo-
China today to be prepared to de-
part and informed observers ex-
pressed belief the action was a
diplomatic maneuver intended to
strengthen Japan'S hand during the
next few days should the Thailand-
Indo-China peace negotiations COL
lapse
Authoritative sources said the
success or failure of the conference
was likely to be determined within
the next 48 hours and were not too
optimistic over the prospects.
On Shanghai, Domei, Japanese
news agency, reported in dis
patch from Toxic, that it had
learned authoritatively that ia
pan had ordered Japanese resi-
dents to leave Indo-China i'm
mediately to give Japan a free
hand IN the event the peace con-
ference failed)
French Envoy Calls.
Authoritative sources said French
Ambassador Charles Arsene Henry
visited the japanese Foreign Office
shortly after the government issued
the instructions. 1t was reported
that he had indicated a willingness
for further consultations on Japan's
peace proposals in the Thailand-
Indo-China dispute.
He also was said to have indicated
that Vichy's attitude on the peace
proposals now pending might be
forthcoming tomorrow.
Domei said that Luang Vichitr
Vadakar, Minister without portfolio
in the Thailand government, had
arrived in Toxic to attend the peace
conference with special instruc-
tions" as a representative of Thai
lands Premier, Luang Bipul Song
gram.
The tone of the press today in
dicated the present proposals are
the least Japan can induce Thailand
to accept. No concessions by Thai
land are mentioned.
Early Peace Urged.
The Japanese order followed an
editorial chorus by four leading Jap
anese-language newspapers, Nichi
Nichi, Yomiuri, Hochi and Chugai,
today echoing Asahi's statement
yesterday that the Toxic peace con-
ference seeking settlement of the
Thailand-French Indo-China bor-
der dispute has entered into "the
most delicate stage" following ia
pans submission of what is re-
garded as its final mediation plan"
Comment broadcast yester-
day by Domei from the news
paper Kokumin, which is consid-
cred close to the Japanese Army,
said that cit is understood that
appropriate japanese measures
will be unavoidable" should
either Thailand or French Indo-
China turn down the mediation
planD
All four newspapers today stressed
that early conclusion of peace was
desired and warned against any
dilatory policy on the part of either
of the principals.
Asahi said in a dispatch from
Vichy that the japanese charge
d'affaires. Ken Harada, had in
formed the French government of
Japan's desire for acceptance of the
peace proposals.
"As result it was expected the
Vichy government would reply to-
day." Asahi's dispatch added.
Great Britain and the United
States were blamed in press COM
(See FAR EAST, Page A-40