~T,- I have reoeived reports during-the past/days of * 0 continuing Japanese troop movements to southern. Indo- Ghina. These reports indicate a very rapid and material Increase In the forces of all kinds stationed by Japan In Indo-China• It was my clear understanding that by the terms of the agreement and there is no present need to discuss the nature of that agreement — between Japan and the French Government at Vichy that the total number of Jap- anese forces permitted by the terms of that agreement to be stationed in Indo-China was very considerably less than the total amount of the forces already there. The stationing of these Increased Japanese forces in Indo-Chlna would seem to Imply tixe utilization of these forces by Japan for purposes of further aggres- sion, since no such number of forces could possibly be required for the policing of that region. Such aggrae- slon could conceivably be against the Philippine Islands; against the many islands of the Kast Indies; against Burma; against Malaya or either through coercion or through the actual use of force for the purpose of under- taking the ooouja tion of Thailand* Such new aggression would, of course, be additional to the acta of aggression -2- already undertaken agalnat China, our attitude towards whioh la well known, and has been repeatedly atated to the Japaneae Government. Pleaae be good enough to request the Japaneae Ambas- sador and Ambassador Kuruau to inquire at onoa of the Japaneae Government what the actual reasons may be for the steps already taken, and what I am to consider la the policy of the Japanese Government as demonstrated by this recent and rapid concentration of troopa In Indo- china* This Government has seen in the last few years in Europe a policy on the part of the German Government whioh has Involved a oonatant and ateady encroachment upon the territory and rights of free and independent peoplea through the utilization of military steps of the same character. It is for that reason and because of the broad problem of American defense that I should like to know the intention of the Japanese Government. u