CHINA AND SOVIET

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1929, Page 5

CHINA AND SOVIET

CHINA’S BIG ORDER FOR PLANES

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

HONG KONG, Aug. 17

At a meeting of the office of the Commissioner of Foreign at Canton yesterday, it was stated that, in view of the Russo-Uhinese t affairs having assumed a grave aspect, the Bureau of. Aviation was preparing a scheme for the expansion of Chinese aerial'activities, and that it is now drawing up a scheme for the purchase of one hundred machines from an American aeroplane company, including 20 fighting planes and 20 attacking planes, also ten scouting planes, two bombing play.es, and ten training planes. The cost of the planes is to he two million Hong Kong dollars. This money is being raised partly by public subscription. China appears to he unified in her intention to resist Russia at all costs.

REPORTS MIOH EXAGGERATED.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17. The State Department has declared itself without information in reference to a London despatch that the Chinese Minister here is to notify the signatories to the, Kellogg Pact that Russia has begun an offensive on the 'Manchurian border.

The Chinese Minister/ Mr declined to discuss the situation. 'The United . States officials are inclined to accept with some reserve the reports of serious clashes.

REPORTS OF HOSTILITIES. (Received this day at 11.25. a.m.) SHANGHAI, August 18. Reports have reached Shanghai of renewed hostilities between Chinese and Russians along various points of the border. Though Chinese deny that activities are taking place on a large scale they admit invasions, meanwhile claiming that the Chinese force have been able to drive off the attackers.

BORDER FIGHTING.

MANY CLASHES

(Received this day at- 13.25. a.m.) SHANGHAI, Aug. 19.

While definitely untrue that SinoRusiasi hostilities had broken out, week-end reports indicate that irregulars on both sides are showing considerable raiding activities. While both are unwilling to avert war, the Soviet 1 is afraid of the entrance of White Russians into Siberia, where the peasantry are heart and soul with the Whites. A raid by Soviet forces near -Manehuli, twelve miles within the Chinese border resulted in three hours’ battle. Twenty-seven Chinese were killed. Chinese repulsed a .cavalry raid. • / . - ■ • Mongols raided a Chinese town near Hailhr, but • eventually were driven off. ,

Manchurians are preparing for an outbreak of major hostilities. Ten thousand Soviet troops descended, on Zalanor, fighting lasting all day, resulting in the Chinese losing sixty killed. The Russian losses are unknown.