740.0011 P.W./595: Telegram

The Consul at Saigon (Browne) to the Secretary of State

121. There has apparently been some increase in the number of Japanese troops in Indochina during the last 2 weeks but accurate figures cannot be obtained. Opinions vary between 30 and 45,000. At least 75% are in the south.

Japanese military equipment of all kinds is arriving in increased quantities. Recently the Japanese began to bring in airplanes in parts and to assemble them in Saigon. More light tanks have come and about a dozen 8-ton tanks. Seventy-five millimeter field guns are being landed.

Construction of flying fields, radio stations and barracks continues all over southern Indochina. Near Cap Saint Jacques a landing pier is being built. The stage is clearly being set for the accommodation of a large army with which to attack Thailand if this plan is followed. Although the present force here is small there is some opinion to the effect that it alone may undertake the attack, relying on only token resistance from Thailand.

The French military authorities have so far refused to comply with the Japanese demand for French mobilization in “joint defense” of Indochina. It is reported that they convinced the Japanese that in the event of mobilization the Foreign Legion and other French contingents would try to enter China and join the Chinese Army. But Japanese disregard of French authority is growing; a French district officer is now in a Saigon hospital recovering from wounds wantonly inflicted by Japanese soldiers.

[Page 330]

Sent to Cavite for repetition to the Department, Chungking, Peiping, Hong Kong, Shanghai; Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo. Repeated to Bangkok.

Browne