THE CLOUD IN THE EAST.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 227, 25 September 1929, Page 6

THE CLOUD IN THE EAST.

In spite of repeated rumours of a peaceful settlement of the matters in dispute between Russia and China, intermittent fighting has been in progress along the Manchurian border for many weeks past. In all probability no great amount of damage has been done. ' But this perpetual friction has naturally tended to aggravate the bitterness; of the quarrel. A month ago.China was reported to be preparing actively for war on a large scale, and the Russian Government had declared that it would be content with nothing less than the restoration of the "status quo" in Manchuria and the reappointment of the Russian officials on the Chinese Eastern r Raihyay. Nest, it was rumoured at the end of last month that the Soviet Government had agreed to a comprehensive settlement of all disputes with China on the lines of the agreement of 1924, and that all prisoners and persons arrested were to be released at once. Apparently negotiations were broken off at the last moment, because the Soviet Government insisted on a newi director-general for the Chinese Eastern Railway. Meantime charges of cruel and barbarous treatment of Russian prisoners were alleged against China, and as late as September 20 a strong Russian attack on the northern frontier resulted in a battle lasting for two days. In the opinion of some military authorities Russia has only been marking time till she has perfected her arrangements for an , attack on Manchuria from f o«ur or five separate points at once. It is reported that the Soviet envoy has presented to the Chinese Government an ultimatum demanding the settlement of all difficulties Avithin three weeks, otherwise Russia will'regain control of the railway by force. Yet in spite of all this it is still improbable that an. actual state of war, as between Russia and China, will develop in the Far East