The proposal of the Japanese Government for the cessation of hostilities and their mediation of the border dispute between Thailand and French Indo-China has been accepted by the Governments of Thailand and France.
As the relations between Thailand and French Indo-China had become increasingly tense since the rise of the movement in Thailand for the recovery of her lost territories, the Japanese Government, out of consideration for the peace and tranquillity of Greater East Asia and the co-existence and co-prosperity of the peoples of this region, had entertained a hope that such a question would be peacefully settled without recourse to arms and have taken the necessary steps. Unfortunately, however, an armed conflict subsequently broke out. In the early part of December, the Japanese Government informally proposed to the French Government, through the latter's Ambassador at Tokyo, Mr. Charles Arsene-Henry, that they were prepared to mediate for the settlement of the dispute. The situation, however, has not only failed to take a favourable turn for a settlement but has become so serious that it was deemed a matter for grave concern as to its future course since the hostilities between the two countries have recently become increasingly extended.
The Foreign Minister, Mr. Yosuke Matsuoka, therefore, made a formal proposal of the Japanese Government on January 20 to the Governments of France and Thailand regarding an immediate cessation of the hostilities and a mediation of the dispute, to which the Governments respectively have replied their acceptance.