Chungking, Aug. 10.
The Chinese press this morning gave prominence to the report of the with= drawal of British troops from Shang-hal and North China, but without comment.
Some Chinese express the opinion that the action indicates that Great Britain is preparing for the worst coventuatity in the Par East, concentrating her efforts to defend Hongkong and Singapore, while other Chinese quarters. fear that the step may the result of an understanding with Japan, involving Great Britain's wi drawal from China and. Japan's Serlaking to delay Hongkong temporarily.
Ieee Hak eey US, Sailors Sala Hoste ca tae Scat ce Tae Peles Sara Sate Honolulu, Aug. 10, Approximately 700 American sailors already have sailed from here for Shanghai to reinforce the American garrison there, it was reliably learn ed here today was believed that the American reinforcements are being sent to protect British interests following the withdrawal. of British troops. from Shanghai and North China—Domel, Sign of Firm Stand aes cee Cot Washington, Aug. 11, The first unfavourable reactions in arog cee wth ibans ates ide see Mine "Sting at Wer og yan Fate te acts Fee, ce a cad stereo he a ous Sami" Uni Sin See a tess "ome Bose om Hare pope es pes cote Severe Sta "eter Washington to the withdrawal of Briish troops from China have given place to hopeful speewlation whether Ttmeatis the end of British appease-moat of Japan.
There is a growing belief here that Britain is clearing her China decks of Isolated troops for a showdown. It Jepan insists on one, Tt is recalled that the Japanese long called foreign troops in Shanghai North China hostages, and it is believed here that Britain is removing her hostages for such eventualities as the Japanese may force.
connection with the belief here that the move may mean a stronger policy instead of appeasement, incresting to note" that well-in-rined sources here have received information from high sources that in the event of a Japanese attack on Indo-China, French forces there will resist on orders from Vichy received in the last few days, Beyond submarines, the French forces are believed noi to be strong, but it is reported that steps are being taken to improve both naval and jerial_ defences within the shortest possible time.
Hee i memati, Pate Informed circles here discount any danger to General Chiang Kai-shek Japanese attempt to occupy pol the Japanese army" has proved in= capable of reaching the Indo-China border on the Chinese side, and It is, believed that the: chances of reaching the Yunnan border from Indo-China are very dificult because of the rugged-terrain and the fact that Chinese: troops, now massed on the Yunnan border, will probably enter French territory to occupy strategic defensive positions.
There is speculation here how Berlin would view Japanese attack fon Indo-China, for. while the Nazis obviously would welcome any: Japan-attack on British soil or interests in the Far East, they might not welcome an attack on a colonial possession which might fall to Ger~ many asa result of the defeat of Pratice.
'On the balance, it appears to an observer here that Japan has more lose than to gain' by any. tile Judged attack on Indo-China Reuter.
Should Say "Hands on"
New York, Aug. 11.
an editorial headed "Our Shang hal Hot Spot," the ""Herald-Tribune" states: "It would look as though we owed it to ourselves and. to our friends in trouble to take over the Eritish job in Shanghai and to say hands off to Nippon."—Reuter.
U.S. Wants "Open Door"
Washington, Aug. 11.
The United States. will not withdraw its armed forces from China until the "Open "Door" has, been assured, the "Washington Star" said yesterday in an editorial commenting on the British withdrawal of troops From" Chin 'The withdrawal of British forees from' China, according to London, 1s due to the disappearance of the original cause of their presence, namely Chinese banditry, the news:
"But the United' States Government's opinion." the "Star" said, "ie that the Japanese, in their Chinese undertakings, have behaved ruth: lessly, if not quite Ike bandits Japanese Government and Japanese army pressure on western Interests Ju Shanghai is far weightier than the old Chinese bandits problem, "What the United States wants is what it has wanted since the birth the International Settlement—the 'Open Door' in' China, What the United States fears from Japan a closed door."—United Press.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.