740.0011 P. W./299: Telegram
The Consul at Hanoi (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:37 p.m.]
102. I have just been informed confidentially by a reliable informant that the facilities demanded by the Japanese Government and granted by the French Government are roughly as follows: naval base at Camranh; military and naval establishments at Saigon, including the military airport; eight air bases in Cochin-China and Cambodia; and the various garrisons to number at least two divisions. The Japanese will commence their occupation within a short time. My informant stated that the Japanese gave as justification for demanding these facilities the defense of Indo-China from a British attack. He stated further that the extreme reticence of the Government General during the past few days has been motivated by the apprehension of the American and British reaction to this almost complete surrender of Indo-China to the Japanese.
Sent to Cavite for repetition to the Department, Chungking, Peiping, Hong Kong, Shanghai. Shanghai, please repeat to Tokyo.