751G.94/56: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 3—1:30 p.m.]
445. Reference Hanoi’s August 31, 11 a.m., and September 2, 10 a.m.,50 and Embassy’s 443, September 3, 11 a.m. The Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs today informed an officer of the Embassy that the Foreign Office has received a telegram from the Chinese Ambassador at Vichy stating that the Vichy Government has accepted Japanese demands in relation to Indochina. According to the Vice Minister, an arrangement relating to an exchange of commercial commodities between Japan and Indochina is being negotiated in the form of an annex to the Franco-Japanese treaty of 1907 while stipulations concerning the passage of Japanese troops through Tongking and the [Page 94] flight of Japanese (including military) planes over Tongking are to be included in an exchange of notes between the two Governments. For the purpose of “face”, provision is to be made in the notes for French “supervision” of Japanese military forces moving through Indochina.
The informant asserted that the authorities of Indochina have not been kept fully informed of the development of negotiations at Vichy. He expressed the view that the Indochinese authorities would probably comply with instructions received from Vichy in the matter.
Informant asserted in connection with the recent visit of General Ho Ying-ch’in52 to Yunnanfu that the Yunnan authorities are fully prepared to support the National Government.
Sent to the Department. Repeated to Peiping for repetition to Tokyo. Repeated to Hanoi. Code text by air mail to Yunnanfu.