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Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1929, Page 4

The military situation in the Far East continues somewhat obscure. ' There were reports of probable adjustments, but later the negotiations appeared to break down. Then came news of a clash. The breaic down appeared to be caused by the Chinise refusal to restore the Russian officials under the old tonduions without some adequate safeguard, and in the meantime martial laiv has been enfoiced along the line “in consequence of.the frequency of acts of sabotage by Soviet employees.” A week ago it was. reported that several attempts had 'been made by Communists to blow up and otherwise damage th% railway. The Soviet authorities in the meantime have circulated pers.stent reports that bands if “Whi.e” Russians—monarchist reactionaries—have organised raids iniq tlier territory along the frontier. But the “White’’ Russians have been made scapegoats for most of Russia’s troubles since the war, and not by the Bolsheviks alone. The Russian General at vladivostock has announced that the stubborn refusal of China to do justice to Russia’s claims may compel a resort to arms, and a great demonstration of half a million people at Moscow pledged Russia to hack the Soviet Government “in its efforts in the cause of peace.” It is possible, says an exchange, that the Soviet Dictators are not “bluffing,” but may be anxious to oring on war, so as to divert the attention of the Russian people from their own domestic grievances. Unfortunately, just at the nrment when China ought to display unity and vigour in handling this dangerous situation, she is once more the prey of divided councils and internal d’scqrd. The attitude of Feng and his army towards Nanking is still nroblematical. But this is of far less importance than the political crisis which has suddenly threatened the stability and possibly tlie existence of the Kuo min tang Cabinet. Tlie Minister of Finance, Mr T. V. lias resigned. Sooner reports that lie has retired. because the Government, under miilitarist influence, has decided to spend about £18,0('0 000 a year on the armies, and be cannot find the money. But bis enemies maintain that the real reason for his withdrawal is that lip Ims faded to pave a proper account of £30,000 000 which has passed through In’s bauds during the east two wears. However this mw be, Chiang Kai-shek takes the situnt'on so seriously that, eu’ess be can deduce to retain office, be threatens to resign himself. I Now Po-m" i« regarded a" the “strong man” of the 'NTofion" 1 ’- + . Pnrtv Khiarm K n ’-ebpk and Knurr. tb n Minister of Camrneree and Labour, have married three sisters: Stone’s sister is Mrs Sun Y°t-sen: and Sun Koo. Minister of Railways, v* a son of Sun YMsen’s first wife. The Nationalist Cabinet is therefore largely a family eatliering. strong in its enmrrmeity of interests and in the r-rpAie-o that it derives from the dead and‘deified Sun Yat-sen. It is Unis easy to understand

that the retirement of Soong might he the signal for the tLavnlaii 01 tlie Government which is united so closely to him by personal and political ties, and the consequences to China at tins juncture might be disastrous in the extreme. .