MONGOL CHIEFS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1933, Page 5

MONGOL CHIEFS

SECESSION THREAT

GIVEN SELF-GOVERNMENT.

,United Brass Association—By Electric lele^rapn—Copy ngii i.)

(Received this day at 0.15 a.m.) bllAi\UJxcU, October 16. Threatening immediate secession un-it-x,s die Qiniese General Government grants sell-government, the leading inner Mongolian rulers suddenly loum large in tile present Bar -Eastern crisis. Occupying an important stragetic posit.oii as an effective buffer State between Russia, Mauciiukuo, and Uiina, disgruntled chieftains, including several royal descendants of tue ancient Klutiis control IbUjIVJ square miles o. minerally wealthy territory, which virtually' is the key position m the event of an out weak of iiost.lities between Russia and Japan. Wiiite expressing- a desire to remain under Chinese jurisdiction, the chiettians declare their readiness .to seek the assistance of their neighbours should Nanking ignore their demands for an autonomous inner Mongolia. Ine foregoing decision was reached at a conference of the secessionists which has just concluded in an isolated temple at Balahalaka, and was attend*. ed by soventy delegates, representing every subsidiary state in Inner Mongolia, It was the first occasion of a completely united front offered by these nomadic Uribes. Prince Tehwang, the chairman, supported by several other Princes at the conference, claimed that the inhabitants were subjected to territorial infringements, harsh taxation, and heavy duties on goods exported to China. Obviously, lurtber extension of Japanese influence over inner Mongolia on the latter’s 'alliaince to Mjanchukuo would lie a serious blow to Soviet interests, cutting the latter’s important auxiliary route to the Pacific through Urga to Kalgnn. The Chinese Government has announced that China is prepared to grant Inner Mongolia self-government, when satisfied of the bona tides of the movement.