Mar. 1.
MID a welter of conflicting reports, it is learned that Japan tonight is still awaiting a definite reply from France to her mediation proposal for settlement of the border dispute bet {Indo-China and Thailand.—Reuter.
Blackout in Cochin China Saigon, Mar. 1 Cochin-China observed a complete blackout tonight as tension mounted in Saigon over the apparent deadlock in the Tokyo mediation conference for the settlement of the Franco-Thai border dispute, This precautionary measure came on the heels of large scale anti-air raid manoeuvres held during the day when troops went into "action" fighting simulated fires, and rescuing "victims."
Forty Japanese civilians residing in the Saigon area, completed evacuation preparations, making ready to embark aboard the Bangkok Maru which duo to arrive here March 4.
Meanwhile, close contact was being maintained "between Mr. Minoda, Consul-General, Colonel" Yasumasa Kolke, and Captain Kanel Chudo, members of the Japanese military and naval missions to French Indo-Ina, Lange French forces were rushed to "northern Indo-China, and. com~ ploted defence dispositions in the Sal-Gon area, It was understood, Acceptance Reported Vichy, Mar. 1. The French Council. of Ministers late yesterday found the Japanese mediation proposal of the Thai-French rdo-China dispute basically accept able, it was announced. Terms were Following a two and' one half hour seoston the Council "drafted the Government position concerning negotia-Nous in Tokyo for solution of the Prance-Siamese conflict." said an Admiral Francois Darlan, French ice-Premier, Foreign, Wat and Navy Minister, announced the Government's general polices, situation, The Foreign Minister, Mr. Yosuke Matsuoka attended the meet Ing for a perlod—Domel.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.