CHINA AND RUSSIA

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1929, Page 5

CHINA AND RUSSIA

REPORTS AND DENIALS. PREPARATIONS IN CHINA. (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) SHANGHAI, July 21. Official confirmation of the capture of Manchuli and Pogganighnaya by Soviet forces is lacking. It appears posible that reports which were given to Japanese correspondents by G'ninese refugees from those towns, are based on a continual gunfire demontsration and Soviet aeroplanes. General Changchinghui, Governor

i of Keilungkiang, in a telegram to A Peking, denies an outbreak of actual hostilities. On the other hand, Nanking tonight received two telegrams from Changlisuehiliang stating that Soviet forces commenced an .offensive yesterday in the vicinity of Pogganiohnaya, coinciding,,,with the reports of an attack, on :Manchuli. Chang’s report states, that Chinese troops remained ;on tile defensive, though Japanese reports from the affected zone indicate, an exchange of shots, with the sulbsequnet flight .of Chinese forces. It is also reported that Russian troops . are in possession of a number of machines for the purpose of discharging poison gas. ? It is reliably , stated that, mobilisation at Vladivostock of all men between , seventeen and thirty-five is taking place.

It is officially announed that all Japanese residents in Manchuli and Pogganichnaya have, been withdrawn, also the massing, of three thousand white Cossacks in Tanchuli district. Chiangkaishok, has issued a circular stating:—“Urgent entire army rise against Red imperialism,” and uphold the sovereign right of China. Soviet’s ultimatum to China is impossible. It involves national honour. The country must unite in opposition to Red Russia, even though many may perish in the struggle.” Nanking’s manifesto to the world Powers explains the Soviet Government utilised various department of the Chinese eastern, railway to promote jsinistor isohemies 'for, assimilation of sedition and destruction of China’s internal arrangements. Therefore the seizure of the railway was an act of self-defence. The manifesto declares the. responsibility of the present rupture rests with; 'Russia. }*:m : /■' -i ,

; . KELLOGG PACT., '/..WASHINGTON, July 21

The ‘ 'British’,' French, and, Japanese Ambassadors, representing’ three of the four Powers, who are parties to the Pan-Pacific Treaty of 1921, which hinds them to confer when peace is threatened ;in the East, were consulted on Thursday by Secretary Stimson in connection with his calling to the attention of the Soviet and China their obligations under the Kellogg Treaty. 'RRJTAJN’S • 'ATTITUDE. • ----- WASHINGTON, July 21. The British'Ambassador to U.S.A., Sir Esm^'Howard; : on Sunday informed the United States Secretary, Mr Stimson, 'that tho British Govern ment would be happy to associate itself with f the U.S.A. Secretary’s move to bring 'peace in the' Sino-Soviet controversy; CHINESE ATTACK REPORTED. SHANGHAI, July 22. Though President Chiang Ivai Shek reiterates his confidence that the Manchurian situation will be settled amicably, the country everywhere is in a state of suspense, especially in the north, where foreign dbservers fear that a minor clash of opposing troops either at Manchuli or Progranichnaya may constitute the spark which will set the border aflame. ■Over the week-end the messages received are notably scanty in I heir references to military movements on the border.. This is believed to be an indication of quietness; According to Japanese messages from Manchuli, ( the Chinese are digging entrenchments along the northern edge.. of that town, resulting in the inhabitants taking flight, and barring their homes against the military. The situation at (Prograniohnaya, at the other end of tho railway, is quiet, but it ,;is - reported that Chinese troops fired on Soviet aeroplanes, who retaliated bv . dropping bombs on Russian territory in a threatening manner, as a warning. CHINESE PREPARATIONS. EVACUATING WOMEN AND CHILDREN. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) SHANGHAI, July 22. 'The latest messages from Harbin report the arrival of large numbers of Japanese refugees from Manchuli, mostly women and children, bringing a message from the Japanese Consul stating that owing to the increasingly critical situation and the possibility of the destruction of the railway bridge across Hailar River he had ordered the withdrawal fli Japanese civilians, though he previously intended to accommodate them at the Consulate. A telegraphic message from Man--ehuli states acting under Chinese instructions from Mukden, military officials on the western frontier are sending their families to Harbin by special train, adding that anxiety for other inhabitants is causing rumours that hostilities are expected momentarily.

RUSSIA PREPARED. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) SHANGHAI, July 22. A foreign military observer who recently arrived from Siberia, asserts that Russia has been preparing for the Manchurian trouble for months and now lias concentrated one hundred and twenty thousand troops on the border, with heavy artillery, bombing planes, gas machines, and every modern device of warfare. RUSSIAN REPLY, j (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) WASHINGTON, July 22. Mr Claudel has presented Mr Stimson with Moscow’s assurance that Russia recognises the power of the Kellogg Pact and desires to force no action with China. SOVIET ACCEPTS GERMAN MEDIATION OFFER (Received this day at 10 a.m.) MOSCOW, July 22. Soviet circles welcome the offer of German mediation, which is the only acceptable channel. It declines the League’s mediation, because a majority of the League members are imbued with the anti-Soviet spirit. RUSSIAN SEIZURES. SHANGHAI, July 22. Over eighty foreigners, hoping tt travel to Europe via Siberia, are held up at Harbin on the confluence of Sungari and Heilungkiang rivers. Soviet gunboats seized three Chinese merchantmen and removed the passengers whom they carried into Russian territory. NANKING ATTITUDE. • SHANGHAI, July 22 Nanking is instructing its Ministers abroad to notify the signatories to the Kellogg Pact that China does not intend to conflict with Russia,- and. is .prepared to negotiate with a view to an amicable settlement. She is also willing to submit tho question to the League asi well as to tho Kellogg signers. CHINESE DECISION. (Received this dav at 10.30. a.m.) SHANGHAI, July 22. The Government leaders at Nanking have decided that China should confine herself to defence measures alone. Any firing from the Chinese side of the border will be in self-de-fence. • A majority of Chinese officials at ■ Nanking reiterate confidence that Russia will not fight. A Japanese report states two thousand five hundred Soviet troops suirounded' Manchuli, in consequence of another rumour that Japan was despatching military forces to Manchuria to protect Nationals in the event of an outbreak of Sino-Russian Hostilities. It 'is reported that every White Russian residing in China is prepared for active' service to assist China. A Peking message states Chinese military authorities are reinforcing Urga, following the receipt of information that 'Soviet tactics appear to be forcing a pressure on the western front while pretending to attack' tho eastern border.

SOVIET EXPULSIONS. (Received this day at noon.) BERLIN, July 22. The “Vossiche Zeitung ” announced the Soviet Executive Committee expelled Bukharin and six other oppositionists, thus removing the last of Stalin’s opponents. RUSSIAN REFUSAL. BERLIN, July 22. A Moscow correspondent of the ” Berliner Tageblatt ” learns that the Soviet is not accepting the British proposal to send a delegation to discuss conditions for the resumption of diplomatic relations without a definite declaration from Britain thereanent.