§ Captain Bullockasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give any information on the recent developments in Indo-China.
§ Mr. BevinIn Indo-China, as in Java, the Japanese followed a policy of encouraging the growth of nationalism, and with Japanese backing and arms nationalist groups were able in August last to establish what has become known as the Viet Nam Republic, comprising the coastal territories of Tonkin, Annam and Cochin China. After the Japanese general surrender, responsibility for disarming and controlling all Japanese forces and for releasing and evacuating Allied prisoners of war and internees in Southern Indo-China up to the boundary between South East Asia Command and the China theatre, which for operational purposes had been established along the parallel of 16o N., devolved on forces under Admiral Mountbatten's command.
Unfortunately, in fulfilling the primary task entrusted to him, the British Force Commander in Indo-China, General Gracey, found himself obliged to contend with continual looting and attacks by Annamite armed bands on French civilians and property and with conflicts between these bands and the French forces under his command. On General Gracey's advice, the senior French officer agreed to meet Annamite representatives and arrangements were made for a truce to run from 2nd October. In face of the evident inability of the Annamite leaders to exercise effective control over their own armed forces, General Gracey warned them on 8th October that should their forces break the truce he would have no option but to take whatever steps might be necessary to ensure the proper execution of his task. There has been sporadic fighting involving British forces in the outskirts of Saigon.
As stated by the Prime Minister in reply to a Question on the situation in Java on 17th October, His Majesty's Government 2150W do not desire to be unnecessarily involved in the administration or in the political affairs of non-British territories, and their object is to withdraw British troops as soon as circumstances permit. As the House is no doubt aware, the French Government, in a declaration of policy issued on 24th March last, promised a wide measure of autonomy to Indo-China, and I should like to take this opportunity of informing the House that this liberal attitude on the part of the French Government has been reflected in the very conciliatory manner in which the local French representatives have dealt with the Annamite leaders. There has also been close and friendly co-operation between the British and French Commanders. In the meanwhile, every effort is being made to expedite the movement of French troops to Saigon insufficient numbers to enable them to take over from the British forces.