Explaining why Thal forces were able frequently to occupy border towns, an officer told the United Press that the main body of French troops in Cambodia was not concentrated along the lengthy border but was stationed inland from.where counter-attacks were staged as soon as news was learned of Thai captures of towns.
The Thallanders usually fled when the patrols approached such occupied towns, the Dfleer said. Thal planes yesterday bombed Siemreap, and two Thal planes were shot down, it was announced, An official spokesman said he did not know whether the Thai claim that Sisophon had been captured was true, but informed sources said they believed it was untrue, Sisophon is more than 50 kilometres east of Polpet, tiny border town which Thai troops occupied when the French straightened their lines in western Cambodia."
'Thal action still is not. considered real war, an authoritative source {told the United Press, If the situation grows worse, however, the French' may stage a drive into "Thailand and believe it would be just as easy as} the Thai drive into Indo-China, it was a Frenchman arriving from the Thai border reported that several days ago French anti-aircraft. guns shot down a Thai plane which proved to be Japanese-made. Inside, said, was the body of a Japanese aviator.
Artillery duels between Thal and the French at Vientine and. other Mekong River towns continued, it was Jearned.
'Thai planes yesterday bombed. Siemreap in northern Cambodia, Killing several natives and causing damage. French pursuit ships shot down the Thai plane, it was' understood.
The Vichy Government said yesterday Indo-China had begun reprisal actions against Siam in retaliation for numerous attacks by the Siamese since January 5. It added that despite the present hostile atmosphere it was hoped that forthcoming negotiations would end frontier fighting.
It appears that nevertheless the @oor remains open to forthcoming negotiations to end the aimless and insignificant hostilities which seem to emanate from frontier authorities without Maison with Bangkok," the Government sald.—United Press, Thai Planes. Active Bangkok, Jan, 10.
Ninety Thailand planes cooperating with "and forees on January 6 bombed several important French Indo-China military" bases in the Aranya area inflicting heavy damage, today, Army authorities announced here,
alland planes, it was said, suf Jected Sisophon to a: heavy bombing Setting practically the entire city ablaze, Direct hits were also scored fon an undisclosed number of petrol tanks at Stungtrang, which were observed 0 blaze ereely, while other points were bombed. by Thai aircraft, including _'Tambolkhong, Fbansamrong, and Banchungkul, it was claimed-—Domel, Thai Orders Black-out Nongkal, Jan, 1), With heavy fighting in progress at various point along the "Thai-Indo-China border, rigid black-out restric tions are being enforced in all towns and villages in. this region owing to frequent air raids, Strict curfew is in force in Nongkal, where soldiers In leaf-green uni form, Khaki-clad police and boy volutiteers patrol every nook and corer of the town to prevent Ath columnists signalling' "to. French planes, Martial law has also been declared.
While the drone of bombers overhead disturbs the night, intermittent shelling by artillery across the Mekong river sends the population scur-tying to shelter at intervals during the day.
Two civilians wore killed and 19 in-Jured during hours of shelling on Wednesday night, Dug-outs and trenches have been built for the civilian population in towns and villages all along the frontier. The beat of drums warns Inhabitants of the approach of raiders Reuter.
Planes Chased Of Hanoi, Jan, 12.
Thailand's warplanes on. Friday bombed Thakhet and Savannalhot, French Indo-China border towns, which recently have been targets of Thai artillery Are across the Mekong, River, French anticaireraft guns finally chased off the Thai attackers, Informed sources said, General Mordant, new Commander-in-Chief of the Indo-China forces, will arrive at Saigon. on Wednesday, replacing General Maurice Martin, who is returning to France within a few days, it was understood, Meanwhile, neutral' merchants reported that a 30 per cent, duty has been placed on all foreign' goods enfering Indo-China, except " from japan, These merchants claimed Japanese tinned goods and cheap merchandise were Nooding larger Tonking elties.—United Press.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.