TROOP MOVEMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 17 July 1929, Page 5

TROOP MOVEMENTS

CHINESE AND RUSSIANS FURTHER DEPORTATIONS -OF RUSSIANS BUSINESS AT HARBIN AT STANDSTILL (Received 17th July, 10.30 a.m.) SHANGHAI, 16th July. Manchuria despatches indicate considerable activity on the part of the Chinese, who are reported to be rushing well equipped troops to strategic parts on the frontier. Official advices report that Mukden has been ordered by Nanking to mobilise 100,000 troops/ There is also considerable movement of Soviet troops on the Siberian railway. It is also reported that four Russian divisions equipped with modern weapons, poison gas units, and an aviation corps have been stationed at Vladivostok and Blagovestchensk. From 50,000 to 60,000 Chinese troops are encamped on the Sino-Russian border, in addition to 200,000, which are mobilising in Northern Manchuria. The Chinese authorities are continuing to deport Soviet railway officials. Business is at a standstill at Harbin. Nanking is sending a pacific reply to Russia expressing willingness to negotiate affairs providing the agreement of 1924 is faithfully carried out, and alsowillingness to release Russian prison-, ers providing Russia releases Chinese prisoners numbering a thousand. It will aver that Sino-Russian friendship is still firm as long as Russia abstains from Communist propaganda. Meanwhile latest advices state that both sides are moving troops to the ■frontier. It is alleged that Soviet forces have already entered Western Manchuria.