THE RUSSIAN-CHINESE CRISIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 18 July 1929, Page 4

THE RUSSIAN-CHINESE CRISIS

WHILE it is quite possible that the trouble between China and Russia may be amicably settled, especially as the Nanking Government is reported to bo willing to make a conciliatory reply to the Moscow Government’s ultimatum, nevertheless it must be recognised that the. real diiiiculty between the Mongolians and the Russians is the fundamental one which is created by the Bolshevists’ persistent policy of promoting a Red Revolution in China. The Government of Manchuria, which has evidently given allegiance to the Chinese Nationalist Government, has long set its face against Bolshevism. Chiang Kaishek, the new President of China, has definitely declared against Bolshevism. Japan likewise has adopted the most stringent regulations against Bolshevist agents fomenting trouble within tho limits of tho Mikado’s dominions. So it will be seen that practically all the Mongolian nations are of one mind in resisting the Bolshevist propaganda emanating from Moscow.

At the present time the Manchurian Government’s reasons for peremptorily dismissing and transporting the Russian officials who were operating the Chinese Eastern Railway, have pot beeu published, but they very probably rest on tho revolutionary activities of the Russians operating the railway. It will be noticed tho forecast of Nanking’s reply to the Soviet Government “will aver that Sino-Russian friendship is still firm, as long as Russia abstains from Communistic propaganda.” In the meantime it is reported that Chinese and Russian troops are assembling on either side of the border which separates Siberia from Manchuria, and the danger is that these troops, far distant as they are from their respective cenlres of government, are by no means highly disciplined, and may come to/ blows while the negotiations between Moscow and Nanking are being carried out. Such a clasli might precipitate a general conflagration in the Far East, in which case Russia would be at a great disadvantage, not only because the scene of conflict would be so far away from her chief bases of supply, but because she would be faced with the hostility of China, including Manchuria and also would certainly have to face the opposition of Japan, who has clearly declared that she will not permit her interests in Manchuria to be endangered by war in that region.