To Plan Programme with British Navy Singapore, June 21.
The French Defence Mission, headed by Admiral Jean Decoux, Commander-In-Chief of the Indo-China Army, and Colonel Deveze, Chief of ihe Far East Air staff, arrived here today for the joint Anglo-French defence conference which starts tomorrow.
The French Mission was met by a guard of honour and British military and naval officials at a ceremonial landing. The French Mission arrived aboard the Lamotte Picquet.
After the landing ceremonies, the French Mission called on Sir Shenton Thomas, the Governor.
"Meanwhile, the British Staff Offic ers met at Fort Canning for preliminary talks prior to the opening
jorrow when armed guards will be the. Ando Frenn discussions to-posted around the conference building to insure secrecy.
The majority of the problems to be discussed will remain secret, al-"though it was authoritatively confirmed that arrangements will be discussed regarding the refitting and commissioning of French warships "and those of friendly powers" at the Singapore naval base, Local newspapers were for the first time authorized to reveal that the French cruiser Primauguet had used the Singapore Naval Base last month. The British East Indies station vessels will be refitted-aí Singapore in future, it was learned.
Tomorrow's conference will examine plans for the pooling of Anglo-French supplies of war materials in the Far East in the event of an emergency. Ample stocks of essential materials and food are now stored at Singapore, officials, said.
The Conference is expected to discuss the modernization of the equip-.ment of the Indo-China forces and expanding the defence works of Cam Raub Bay as well analyze for the for the first time jointly the lessons of large scale manœuvres recently held off Singapore and elsewhere on the China Sea independently by the British and French Fleets.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.