RUSSIA AND CHINA

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1929, Page 5

RUSSIA AND CHINA

AMICABLE OVERTURES PROVE A FAILURE. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copy r^ht). LONDON, July 18. The Moscow Soviet Government, in its reply to the Chinese Note, says that all means of reaching an amicable settlement have been exhausted and Russia is compelted to adopt the following measures, placing the entire responsibility for the consequences on China: Firstly—All Soviet diplomatic, consular and commercial representatives will be recalled from China. Secondly—All Soviet officials will he recalled from the Cninese Eastern Railway. Thirdly—The railway communications between the Soviet Union of Republics and China will be suspended. Fourthly—The diplomatic and consular representatives of China will be ordered immediately to leave Soviet Russia. The Soviet declares that it reserves all of'-its rights arising from the Peking Agreement and .the Mukden Agreement of 1u24. The Soviet describes the Chinese Government’s Note as unsatisfactory in its contents and hypocritical in its tone. , RELATIONS SEVERED. MOSCOW, July 18. Official—The Soviet has severed relations with China. JAPANESE TROOPS GOING TO MANCHURIA TOKYO, July 18. , Well-informed people believe that botn the Soviet and China are bluffing, and do not expect actual warfare. Nevertheless, in order to safeguard Japan’s interests, it has been depided to carry out a long projected addition of two battalions to Japan’s Guards in Manchuria, which project, it was thought, would be abandoned in view of the Kellogg Pact and the new Cabinet’s retrenchment policy. WARLIKE PREPARATIONS BY CHINESE, SHANGHAI. July 18. Japanese Harbin messages report that the Mukden arsenal is feverishly manufacturing munitions, whilst the mobilisation of, and movement of, troops are proceeding' in all directions in Manchuria, and also in the adjoining provinces. Despite the reported friendly nature of China’s reply to the Soviet’s ultimatum, there everywhere are military preparations in the north which show no signs of slackening. Further troop trains have left Harbin, going east to Pogranichnaya, and west to Manchuli. The few remaining Harbin Russian officials states the Chinese reply fails to open the way for negotiations. The last international train from Harbin failed to connect with the Russian train at Manchuli this inferring that through traffic has been suspended. Shanghai is excitedly watching developments following the Associated Press message from Moscow stating that diplomatic relations have lx>en severed, though« there is no statement from Nanking.

SOVIET NOTE.

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 18. The Soviet note complains that China practically rejected the Soviet’s three absolutely necessary and perfect moderate proposals. Instead of restoring the Peking-M,ukden agreements the Chinese Government sanctions their sided abrogation, thereby destroying the possibility of normal relations. Instead df reversing the unlawful action of the head of the railway, the Note sanctions them, also the unlawful repressions against Soviet citizens and institutions and hypocritically attempted to justify these Chinese. The Note’s reference to propaganda as an excuse for the unlawful action of the Chinese. authorities is false and hypocritical. / The Soviet Note concludes by pointing out the real' object of the Chinese action is revealed in a press statement by President Chiang who plainly declared: ‘“There is nothing unusual in our measures, which are designed to take the Chinese Eastern Railway into our own hands. SHANGHAI, July 18. An unmistakable warning was delivered to the Japanese against Japanese intervention in'' the Manchurian question, by Yehtsuchang Kuomintang, publicity director. Yell accused Japanese news agencies of circulating exaggeratedly alarming reports, hoping to create a proper atmosphere preparatory to Japanese intervention on the excuse of interests of Nationals in territory coveted by Japan for colonising purposes. Three hundred more car loads ol munitions are reported to have left for the Border and several armoured cars are preparing to depart. CHINESE CONouL LEAVES (Received this day at 12.25. p.m.' RIGA, July 18. The Chinese Charge d’Affaire! and members of the Embassy are leaving 'Moscow, escorted by a detachment of Ogpu and red officers. A powerful air squadron is being established on the Manchurian frontier. and infantry, cavalry and tank divisops are being reinforced.