The following exhibit was put in evidence on 3rd October 1946 before the International Tribunal for the Far East. Found on the "legal tools" website. http://www.legal-tools.org/doc/c328b6/ IMTFE Ex. 634 Doc. No. 653A Indo-China Military Affaies No. 356 Page 1 Actions of French Indo-China Officials in relation to injury of a Japanese military employee by a French Indo-Chinese soldier, 10 May, Showa 16 (1941) CHO Isamu, Chief of Staff of the French Indo-China Expeditionary Force. To: Vice Minister of War, KIMURA Heitaro. We shall inform you as follows our secret agent's report (accuracy A) on the aforementioned subject: The incident causing injury to a Japanese military employee by a French Indo-Chinese soldier in an Annamese house of prostitution, Citadel Street, Hanoi, on the night of the 24 April caused a great shock to the French Indo-China authorities. At present there exist both a pessimistic and an optlmistic view among the officials concerning this matter. But the majority of them possess pessimistic views and generally look upon this affair as a regretful event that would bring about a grave crisis in the friendly relations between Japan and French Indo-China. They are possessed. with the credulous thought that this affair might serve as a fuse giving possibility of opening hostilities between the two countries, or the presentation of grave demands by the Japanese to French Indo-China. They are in a state of panic and are giving sincere efforts to bring about an amicable settlement of this affair and at the same time fear the retaliatory actions of the Japanese. They strictly forbid the French in general, notably the military service men, to visit the Japanese streets and areas where the Japanese frequent, especially near the houses of prostitution and liquor serving places. In this way they are only endeavoring to avoid unforeseen accidents in the future. The state of affairs is as follows: Actions of the French Indo-China authorities, according to the views taken by the French Indo-China authorities: (1) Pessimistic views They consider this affair as a fuse with probabilities of inciting a war between Japan and French Indo-China, judging from the example which gave cause to the outbreak of the China Incident, incurred through the kidnap and murder of a Japanese soldier by the Chinese Army near the Marco Polo Bridge in July {SHOWA 12) 1937. Doc, No. 653A Page 2 On the other hand, anticipating that the Japanese Army might demand expansion of the rights of self-defense, uslng this affair as a pretense, and with such wording as "necessary for the self-defense of the army", or to make a demand to increase additional forces, they are racking their brains to find means of establishing counter-measures. In order to prevent aggravation of the situation they have adopted policies in which they are ready to give sacrifice,t o some extent, for an amicable peace settlement of the affair. They are trying to moderate the firm attitude of the Japanese by resorting to policies of coquetry, such as the arrest of the offender, his strict punishment, the condoling of the victim and the consolation and favours to be extended to the bereaved family . Thus, they are trying to lead the affair to a friendly settlement. Anticipating that the Japanese side will take retaliatory measures, the Bureau of Administrative Affairs of the Governor General's Headquarters gave orders to the Hanoi Detective Bureau to compile and submit a list of the houses of prostitution and bars which the Japanese frequent, directly after the said incident. At the same time they strictly forbade the French, in general especially military men, to enter the zones where the Japanese gather and places near the houses of prostitution, and thereby avoid unforeseen occurrences. (2) Optimistic Views: There are some among the French who point out and refer to the changed international situation since the previous year, especially on the recent increase of crises in the Far East, emphasizing the aggravation of American-Japanese relations. They maintain that as the Japanese Army is now in a position where it is being forced to reorganize its troops in preparation against the extreme aggravated situation prevailing in the relations between Japan and America, it is impossible for the Japanese to carry out positive military policy in French Indo-China availing itself of the said incident. They advocate the optimistic view that it would be very easily settied on friendly terms. The views maintained by tho Army regarding the above: The views maintained by the French Indo-China authorities are as above-mentioned and they are extremely in fear of the expansion of this incident and the action of the Japanese Army on the right of self-defense. Doc. No. 653A Page 3 Since the actual state of affairs is one in which they are desirous of having an amicable settlement, regardless of the cost of compensation, we think that it is only fair for us to demand the investiture of power from the French Indo-China authorities , as the following, with a firm attitude and a definite purpose: 1. The increase and strengthening of the rights of stationing troops. Despite the fact that the number in military force amounts to 6000, according to the current Japanese-French agreement, the Japanese Army shall station the required additional number of forces and expand the area of stationing troops to the whole of Tongking if found necessary for the solution of the Sino-Japanese conflict. 2. The enlargement of the area of action of the Japanese Army. The Japanese Army will be given the right to act freely within the Province of Tongking when required from the point of military operation and educational training. Despite the fact that at present the Japenese civilian populace, excepting the military men, are permitted to travel in Chuong Binh and Lang-son areas , which are considered most important from the standpoint of military official duties, the military men are forbidden to travel. Moreover, when a small unit is to engage in manoeuvres, negotiations must be done beforehand with the French Indo-Chinese authorities. The situation is that permission by the Governor-General is required, with condition that a French military officer be allowed to study and observe the manoeuvre. In manoeuvres where many secret matters are involved we had to suffer special disadvantages. 3. Freedom in selecting housing. For Japanese Army barracks the Annamese primary schools are chiefly provided, which offers but narrow and unsanitary places. They intend to gain two advantages - killing two birds with one stone that is, of alienating Japan from Annam and that of distressing the Japanese Army. Furthermore, they have set up a new police sub-station near the officers' billet to keep eyes on the movements of the officers. They are also secretly oppressing the Annamese who show favours to the Japanese Army, and in this way they are trying to force out pro-Japanese tendencies. They are by no means friendly. It is necessary that they provide appropriate buildings that could be used for headquarters and barracks of the Japanese Army. 4. Freedom of travel in French Indo-China. Doc. 653A Page 4 At present we have to file an application to the Governor-General requiring his permission, and even if we receive permission, they would always attach a Frenchman to go with us , thus restricting our freedom of actions. It is necessary that we acquire the rights of freedom to travel, like the French-Indonese, except in zones where no trespassing is allowed because of military reasons. 5. We demand the free use of airfields. Despite the fact that the Army is installing new facilities such as runways, etc. at the Haiphon airfield, now being used by the Japanese troops, the amount in rent charges demanded by the French Indo-China authorities amounts to ¥.35,000 annually. When we add the rent charges of the Gia-lam Airfield the amount rises to a considerable sum. On this occasion we demand free use of them. Report: NAMI Group. Reference: To the Vice-Chief of the General Staff; Vice-Minister of War.
