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Hokitika Guardian, 5 May 1927, Page 2

The condition said to exist in Manchuria at the present moment may he regarded as merely the repercussion oi events in China. Tt would ho strange indeed if a mischievious institution like the Soviet did not take advantage of the occasion to cause unrest, hut it is highly improbable that Russia will g> to war with .Japan unless guaranteed substantial support from the Communists in China, who are not a very tangible force when subjected to rigid discipline. Harbin, says a contemporary, has always been more Russian than Japanese, and Kwang-olieng-t.se. or Chang-chun, was the original border line between the Japanese interests in Manchuria and the Russian interests in Siberia. If the Russian forces are mobilising it is certainly not with the intention of engaging in a war with Japan—that would bring the Soviet no profit, and a lot of inconvenience, including, in all likelihood, another revolution in which the anti-Bolshevist section would make a hid for power. The chances are that the startling rumours reported Iroin Tokio, are inspired bv the natural desire of Japan, to strengthen her forces in Manchuria in view of the somewhat chaotic conditions ruling in that country. To hesitate might mean to lose the rich districts that came near to her after the war with Russia. for no one in China can look with any pleasure on her ownership of the rich territory between Port Arthur and Kirin. The Japanese Government lias been outwardly unimpressed during the controversy over the fate of Hankow and Shanghai, hut the danger of Russian mobilisation and the consequent menace to Manchuria and Korea. could not- fail to cause her anxiety. There may be, ns we think, nothing in the gesture, but Japan cannot afford to take chances.