CHINA AND RUSSIA

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1929, Page 5

CHINA AND RUSSIA

. '/ JAPANESE VIEWS. CHINa'aDMONISHED. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) KOBE, July 20. The 'newspaper Asalii ” expresses the opinion that the China-Russian rupture is far from war. The paper also says: “Their relations have practically been broken before. If war breaks out, extreme Japanese circumspection will be needed.” “If China insists on her present demands,” adds the “ Asahi,” “ abnormal complications will airise.” y POWERS URGED TO ACT. The newspaper “ Hochie ” says: This is China and Russians own concern. Both should, after consideration, realise the disadvantage of hostilities over North Manchuria.” The paper, in conclusion, hopes for peace, but says that otherwise, the Powers’ “must actively promote peace.” The paper “ Kokumin ” says: Japan must observe strict neutrality, but she ■ must take action if the South Manchuria railway is involved. She must 1 also prevent Japanese adventurers from fishing in troubled lvaters.”

AMERICA’S ADyiCE. WASHINGTON, July 19. The United States, at the advice of Mr Stimson (Secretary of State) has notified China and the '.Soviet that they are bound to preserve peace by the Kellogg Pact. . . , , Mr Stimsqn conferred with' the Chinese Minister here, Mr. Wu, who stated that China was faithfully observing the Kellogg Pact, although it technically remained still ineffective. He also intimated that the Chinese Government was observing meticulously, to the letter and the spirit, the Pacific Treaty of W2l, as well as the Kellogg Pact._ Mr Wu stated: “My Government’s action in rejecting from the management off the Chinese Eastern Railway certain Russian citizens was made necessary when the Russians concerned misused their positions in a manner detrimental to . Chinese interests, in violation of the Soviet Government’s solemn pledges. They'were disseminating in Chinese 'territory propaganda attacking the foundations of our Government and social institutions, as well as violating the ,Sino-Russian agreement of 1924 in their management of the railway. If the Russian Government persists, despite our'desire for peace, in forcing war upon us, China, of course,' will defend herself, but the aggressor nation will bear the responsibility, if it is not settled by peaceful, means.” . ,

POWERS’ PROPOSALS. SHANGHAI, July ’2O. Though the Chinese Nationalist Foreign Office has received the. Soviet’s note severing diplomatic relations, the Hull text of it is not being published. Following on the receipt of the Moscow Government’s message, .the President, Marshal Chiang Kai Slick, conferred with the. Government leaders, but the result, of tlieir deliberations has not been announced. At .the same time, Huhanmin,. the President of the Executive Council, and one of, China’s elder statesmen, has declared.that the Government is not perturbed by Moscow’s attitude. He said: “Nothing serious is expected .to .come of it.”,^ In addition to' the . announcement that war between China .and Russia is most improbable, it is reiterated in official circles that the seizure of the Eastern railway by China‘was for the purpose of suppressing Communist propaganda. It is reiterated that the full responsibility Ifor the interference with international relations and the disruption of the railway service rests with the Soviet.

Well informed circles announce that the Chinese Government has not entirely abandoned hope of an amicable settlement, though China is fully prepared to meet any developments arising in the north. Telegrams from Chang ..Hse.uh, liang the Manchurian Overloard, state that the Soviet is i continuing a concentration of troops on the Siberian border. The situation is extremely grave. LONDON, July 19,

The “Daily New’s’’ correspondent at Moscow says: “The Soviet will not declare war on China, and it will not send troops to Manchuria, unless the Chinese invade Soviet territory,” said M. Jan Ruddutak, the Commissar of Transport, when speaking to foreign newspaper men.

He added: “This decision is a most difficult one, because the masses are most indignant at the insolent Chinese violation of the treaties but unless the Russians are attacked, the Soviet will bear the loss of its several hundred million roubles of income (from the Chinese Eastern Railway until China has established a Government respecting treaties and protecting nationals. Anyway, these losses are far less than would be that of financing a war.?’

SOVIET ATTACKING. FRONTIER TOWNS CAPTURED. /Received this day at 8 a.m.) SHANGHAI, July 20. Relayed unconfirmed messages from Japanese correspondents at Harbin report the Soviet forces assumed the offensive at ten this morning with two surprise attacks capturing the border towns of Manchuria, Pogroni and

Chnaya. The former is a connecting link with the Chinese Eastern and Siberian railways. Chinese authorities are alarmed at the news of the Russian offensive and interned all Russian officials remaining in the city. The populace is panic stricken in both seized towns. Soviet aeroplanes carried out demonstrations on border towns.

Four Soviet gunboats arrived at the, mouth off Sungari. Nanking is outwardly calm despite reports of hosilities. At a meeting of the State Council to-day it was decided to sever diplomatic relations with Russia. .

General Suveloff, Tsarist Cossack I t ' leader, has established headquarters at Harbin and is enlisting White volunteers for active service against the Soviet. ■/■!-

SOVIET OFFICIALS LEAVE. CHINESE MERCHANTS OFFER. (Received this dav at 11 a. in.) SHANGHAI, July 21. Soviet officials continue to leave China, among the recent departures being the Soviet Consul, fourteen officials, women and children. Chinese merchants promised the Government one hundred thousand bags of flour, ten million dollars and a regular supply of rice in the event of necessity for hosilities. TROTSKY COMPLAINS. LONDON, July 21. Trotsky sent a letter to the “ Daily Herald ” from Constantinople alleging the decision not to admit him to England was the outcome of activities. of the secret police, whose work was well known and revealed the famous circumstances by the false Zinovieff, the forgery of which British Labour was the victim,

UNCONFIRMED REPORTS. OF HOSTILITIES BREAKING OUT. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) SHANGHAI, July 20. The “Mercury,” a British evening paper publishes an unconfirmed Japanese report that hostilities have broken out between Soviet and Chinese forces assembled on the Manchurian frontier but the report is not supported by further information, and is believed to be unreliable. Harbin, the Manchurian city is the centre of the present political maelstrom. It is reported a. panic followed the declaration of martial law, • Telegraphic communication with Russia has ceased,, but. telephonic communication continues. The S6ciet Consul was placed in n house under arrest late yesterday. All responsible Soviet officers in connection with railway administration have been ordered to evacuate China in twenty-four hours. Seventy additional suspected Russian Communists have been arrested. Harbin is patrolled by large forces of Chinese soldiery. The, newspapers, even Japanese, are subjected to a rigid censorship and business is at a complete standstill.

WHITE RUSSIANS ENLISTING. (Received this day at, 9.25 a.m.) SHANGHAI,' July 21. More than thirty thousand white Russians have applied to the Chinese, military authorities at Harbin for enlistment in ordpr to fight the Soviet. It is reported the feeling against the boviet by White Russians is very bitter. Young Chang, son of the recently assassinated Mukden War, Lord, and present ruler of Manchuria has heeded requests, from the Nanking Government and left Peitaiho, where he lias been spending the summer, and returned to Mukden, fol.owing the receipt of a telegram from Chiang-Kai-Sliek that the situation had taken a turn for the worse. It is announced by the Chinese locally, that the German Government has agreed to assume charge of the Chinese interests in 'Russia, and Russian interests in China.

THE POWERS’ ACTION. LONDON, July 21. It is semi-officially announced that the British Government lias‘ informed the Franco and American Governments of its co-operation in attempting to relax the Sino-Russian tension. Authoritative circles in London do not regard the situation pessimistically, pointing out that the channel for Sino-Russian communication remains in Geneva. League circles regard America’s reminder to Sino-Rus-sian Governments of the signature of the Kellogg Pact as an important precedent. PARIS, July 21. It is pointed out it was appropriate that the Franco-American Governments should communicate with China and Russia, seeing the former inaugurated the Pact. America has no official relational with the (soviet and utilises France’s services in order to communicate with Moscow. The Soviet’s attitude towards the League prevents the League acting usefully.