Chungking, June 24.
A declaration that the closing of the Indo-China route constitutes a violation of the Franco-Chinese treaty of May 16, 1930, as well as of international' law, also a warning that China would take self-defence measures in the event of an armed invasion of Indo-China, is contained in a statement issued by Mr. Wang Chung-hui, Chinese Foreign Minister.
The statement points out that Indo-China is vitally important, not only to commerce between China and abroad, but also for the security of China.
In accordance with the Franco-
Chinese treaty, the statement goes on, France agrees to the transportation through Indo-China of all kinds of merchandise, including arms and ammunition, but during the past year the Chinese Government has not used the route for the trai of arms and ammunition, out of consideration for the possible difficulty in which a friendly nation might become involved.
Expressing the opinion that Japan will use Indo-China as a base to attack China, the Foreign Minister declares: "In the case of an armed invasion of Indo-China the Chinese Government, in order to preserve China's existence and independence, will be constrained to take such measures in self-defence as may be deemed necessary to cope h the situation,"—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.