GRAVE SITUATION

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1933, Page 5

GRAVE SITUATION

SOVIET IS ARMING WATCH KEPT UPON MANCHUKUO .United Press Association—By Ele 'trie Telegraph—Copyright.) ’ (Received this day at 12 noon). SHANGHAI, Noevinber 15.

Just what all the feverish military preparations by both the Mancliukulio and Soviet Governments portends, is still the matter for the gravest conjecture, in this part of the world particularly, since the situation along the frontiers is steadily becoming worse, with repeated assertions of minor incidents, which are prompting an exchange of bitter recrimina cions in both countries.

Foreign trans-Siberian travellers reaching here assert that Russia is making vast military preparations throughout the entire country.

One British traveller stated that train loads of military stores were s een along the route from the Ural Mountains to Chita, while stations were loaded with military trucks containing tanks, tractors, gun§ and aeroplanes, The journey was interrupted by repeated delays of several hours, while troop trains were given right of way. From Baikal to Chita, large barracks wore under construction while at several places largo numbers of aeroplanes were seen in the . open fields where hangars were under construction. Everywhere it was evident that the Soviet was preparing mijitarialjy to meet any sudden development arising iroiu Japan’s Mancliukuo attitude.

RUSSIAN REFUGEES IN INDIA

REFUSAL TO CO-OPERATE

(Received this day at 12.30 p.m.) CALCUTTA, November 15.

A large number of Russian refugees arrived at Spinagar, in Kashmir, from the Kashgar district in Chinese- Turkestan, where there recently was fighting between Chinese troops and. Moslem insurgenfs. The refugees are mostly members of the old Russian army, who after the revolution, ! ! refused to co-operate with the Soviet policy of collective farming, whereupon they were forced to labour on irrigation projects'. Later they fled to Turkestan. Travelling to India via the Pamirs, their task was most dangerous. Food supplies were difficult many dying from exposure and exhaustion.