EARLIER MESSAGES

Evening Star, Issue 23374, 18 September 1939, Page 10

EARLIER MESSAGES

BRITAIN PERTURBED HEW SITUATION TO BE FACED ” MOMENTOUS DECISION " MAY BE NECESSARY LONDON, September 17. The Government has received no information confirming the reports of fighting between the Russians and the Poles, but is endeavouring to ascertain the facts, realising the anxiety that has been created in view of the “ momentous decision” with which' Britain may be faced. EASTERN ARMISTICE RUSSO-JAPANESE AGREEMENT END OF BORDER CLASHES COMMISSION TO DETERMINE FRONTIER MOSCOW, September 16. The Official Agency announces that Japan and Russia have agreed on the Manchukuoan armistice on the following terms: — 1, Japanese-Manchukuoan and Soviet-Mongolian troops are to cease hostilities at 2 a.rh. (midnight 8.5. T.) on September 16. 2. Combatants are to remain on the lines occupied at 1 p.m. (11 a.m. 8.5. T.) on September 15. 8. Representatives of both sides are to carry out the above agreements immediately. 4. Prisoners are to be exchanged forthwith. Mr Togo and M. Molotov further agreed that a commission consisting of two delegates from each side shall be organised at the earliest opportunity to establish the precise frontier of the disputed area. LORD MAYOR'S FUND TOTAL NOW £45,000 LONDON, September 17. (Received September 18, at 8 a.m.) The Lord Mayor’s Red Cross fund now totals £4.3,000. The New Zealand Shipping Company and the Federal Line have each given lOOgs.

SOVIET NEUTRALITY NOT AFFECTED BY NEW MOVE BERLIN, September 17. The German News Agency issued a communique confirming the advance of the Russian army into Boland, and added: “This Soviet measure docs not affect in any way Russian neutrality in the present conflict.” The Soviet Note, the text of which is not yet known, will bo Communicated to all foreign missions accredited to Moscow. 'The Soviet Government is endeavouring to re-establish in Eastern Poland order and peace, which can no longer be guaranteed as a result of the defection of the former Polish State and the flight of the Polish Government. The Spokesman for the Propaganda Ministry in Berlin stated early this morning that the Russian action had Germany’s full approval. JAPAN REJOINING GERMANY ? SPECULATION IN ROME NEW YORK, September 16. The ‘ New York Times ’ Rome correspondent says that Russian-Japanese agreement is regarded as a step toward the return of Japan to the German sphere. It is considered significant that the Japanese General Teranchi has gone to Berlin to visit the east frolit. The Japanese Foreign Office has confirmed the Russian-Japanese truce, with a provisional fixing of the border by a commission. The newspaper ‘ Hochi Shimhun ’ declared that the Tokio-Ber-lin axis is obsolete in so far as antiCommunism is concerned. However, the Japanese-German spiritual front remains vis-a-vis ,the democracies. While the democracies pursue a pro-Chiang Kai-shek policy they should be deemed Japan’s enemies. PAINFUL IMPRESSION IN CHINA MORE POSITIVE AMERICAN .POLICY POSSIBLE CHUNGKING, September 16. The Russian-Japanese armistice has created a painful impression, the view being that Russia should continue to support China because eh© is fighting both for self-preservation and Russia. It is felt that a more positive United States policy may follow the RussianJapanese rapprochement. The Chungking correspondent of the ‘ New York Times ’ says that the military leaders have arrived to participate in the Supreme Defence Connell’s deliberations to formulate China’s war plans during the coming months, especially her strategy in the event of a Japanese intensified campaign as the result of the European war and the Russian-Japanese truce. SOVIET AID FOR CHINA JAPANESE REPRESENTATIONS FAIL LONDON, September 17. (Received September 18, at 8 a.m.) The United Press London correspondent states : “ It has been reported here that Japan failed to persuade the Soviet not to aid China, despite the apparent improvement in relations. Even if a non-aggression pact is negotiated, Moscow, undeterred, is carrying on pacific commerce with China. “ Chinese quarters believe that the Soviet will continue to support Marshal Chiang Kai-shek.” HITLER’S NEXT MOVE FRENCH WRITER'S FORECAST PARIS, September 17. 1 “ Pcrbinax,” writing in ‘ L’Oouvro,’ anticipates that Hitler is planning a Japanese coup similar to the Russian pact, combining a “ war of nerves ” with steel. He believes that if peace moves are hacked by the Italian and Russian bogey the democracies will not be so firmly resolved concerning refusal of them. POLES RESISTING AT ALL POINTS PARIS, September 17. _ The Polish Embassy denied categorically the implications of M. Molotov’s speech, and asserted that the Government was still in Polish territory. He added that the Poles -were resisting the Russians at all points.