EXPECTING CONFLICT

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1932, Page 2

EXPECTING CONFLICT

RUSSIA AND JAPAN

LONDON, May 27

When will the Russo-Japanese war begin ? is a question that is asked everywhere in the Far East, says the special correspondent of. the ‘’Scotsman.” Russians in Harbin and the vicinity have been secretly ordered to return to Russia, and 2000 have left within ten days. The Soviet troops on the frontier now number 150,000. The Russians, the correspondent states, are craftily withdrawing rollingstock from the Chinese Eastern Railways with a view to 'hampering the Japanese, who recently arrested thirty Russian terrorists who had been sent to Harbin to dynamite bridges, railway stations and factories. The Russians have mobilised 12,000 students, at VUtdivostock to fortify the border.

It is bslleved that Japan’s first wove will he a naval attack on Vlaclivostock and an attempt to seize, the Rusian maritime province. If this is successful it will be a disaster of the first magnitude for the Soviet. In an article in “Izestia,” the Soviet organ, Cai'l Radek, head of propaganda again appeals to Japan to conclude a treaty of 11011-aggression with Russia. He complains that Japanese forces are approaching the Soviet frontiers and arc disregarding Soviet economic interests in the Chinese Eastern Railway, which White Guard adventurers,.under Japanese protection, are permanently injuring.

The conclusion of a non-aggression pact, he save, would facilinte peaceful settlement of these questions.