RUSSIA AND JAPAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23916, 18 September 1939, Page 7

RUSSIA AND JAPAN

THE MANCHUKUO DISPUTE AN ARMISTICE REACHED CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) MOSCOW, Sept. 15. Russia and Japan have reached an armistice in their undeclared war on the Mongolian borders. - M. Molotov find Mr Togo, the Japanese Ambas-. sador, agreed on the immediate, cessation of hostilities. A meeting is to be held on September 16, after which a communique will be issued. Only meagre details of the conference are available. Observers express the opinion that the signing of a nonaggression pact would be considered as a diplomaic triumph for Hitler, who has worked constantly to stave of! British efforts for an understanding with Japan. WHITHER WENDING? JAPAN TURNING TO GERMANY NEW YORK, Sept. 16. (Received Sept. 18, at 8 p.m.) The New York Times Rome correspondent says that Russian-Japanese agreement is regarded as a step toward the return of Japan to the German sphere. It is considered significant that the Japanese General Terauchi has gone to Berlin to visit the East front. It also suggested that Russia and Turkey are about to conclude a new pact. The British-Turkish negotiations are critical, and Turkey may be lost to the Allies. Italy is not participating in these negotiations, and even her efforts to form a neutral block from the Balkans are not extended to Turkey. Although working hard, Greek diplomacy is directed solely to the maintenance of neutrality whatever happens and whatever demands are made to Italy. TERMS OF AGREEMENT COMMISSION TO BE APPOINTED MOSCOW, Sept. 16. (Received Sept. 17, at 9 p.m.) The Official Agency announces that Japan and Russia have agreed on the Manchukuan armistice on the following terms:— 1. Japanese-Manchukuan and Soviet-Mongolian troops are to cease hostilities at 2 a.m. (midnight 8.5. T.) on September 16. 2. Combatants are to remain on the lines occupied at 1 p.m. (11 a.m. 8.5. T.) on September 15. 3. Representatives of both sides are to carry out the above agreements immediately. 4. Prisoners are to be exchanged forthwith. Mr Togo and M. Molotov further agreed that a commission consisting of two delegates from each side shall be organised at the earliest opportunity to establish the precise frontier of the disputed area. CHINA’S REACTION PAINFUL IMPRESSION CREATED CHUNGKING, Sept. 16. (Received Sept. 17, at 9 p.m.) The Russian-Japanese armistice has created a painful impression, the view being that Russia should continue to support China because she is fighting both for self-preser-vation and Russia. It is felt that a mors positive United States policy may follow the Russian-Japanese rapprochement. HITLER’S POSSIBLE PLAN ANOTHER “WAR OF,NERVES” PARIS, Sept. 17. (Received Sept. 17, at 11.15 p.m.) “ Pertinax,” writing in L’Oeuvre, anticipates that Hitler is planning a Japanese coup similar to the Russian pact, combining a “ war of nerves ” with steel. He believes that if peace moves are backed by the-Italian and Russian bogey the democracies will not be so firmly resolved concerning refusal of them. CHINA’S WAR PLANS MEETING OF COUNCIL NEW YORK, Sept. 16. (Received Sept. 17, at 9 p.m.) The Chungking correspondent of the New York Times says that the military leaders have arrived to participate in the Supreme Defence Council’s deliberations to formulate China’s war plans during the coming months, especially her strategy in the event of a Japanese intensified campaign as the result of the European war and the RussianJapanese truce. JAPAN’S POLICY STRENGTHENED BY AGREEMENT TOKIO, Sept. 16. (Received Sept. 17, at 9 p.m.) The cease-fire order has been given on the Manchurian frontier. The Yomiuri Shimbun says that Japan’s policy of non-intervention in Europe and concentration of effort on China will be strengthened as a result of the agreement with Russia. TOKIO AND BERLIN ANTI-DEMOCRACY FRONT TOKIO, Sept. 16. (Received Sept. 17, at 8.30 p.m.) The Foreign Office has confirmed the Russian-Japanese truce, with a provisional fixing of the border by a commission. The newspaper Hochi Shimbun declared that the Tokio-Berlin axis is obsolete in so far as anti-Communism is concerned. However, the Japanese-German spiritual front remains vis-a-vis the democracies. While the democracies pursue a pro-Chiang Kai-Shek policy they should be deemed Japan’s enemies.

BRITAIN NOT SURPRISED NEUTRALITY PACT FEARED NEW YORK, Sept. 16. (Received Sept. 17, at 8 p.m.) The New York Times Moscow correspondent says that Japanese circles profess that a non-aggression pact is a question for the most distant future. They point out that the agreement does not affect issues like Sakhalin and Russian support for Chinese Communists, who, they assert, comprise a majority of the commanders of the Chinese forces. Russian Communist propaganda among the Chinese is even more dangerous. They profess scepticism with regard to a settlement of these matters, especially the latter, which is essential to a non-aggi’ession pact. It is admitted that the agreement should please Germany, but it is maintained that it will facilitate the British-Japanese negotiations. It is added that the Craigie Agreement was valuable in the Japanese-Soviet negotiations. Russian readiness to agree is due to a desire to have a free hand on the western front. The armistice has not surprised the British, who feared a neutrality pact, but it is certainly unwelcome as it enables Japan to stiffen her terms if Britain wishes to ■ prevent further German success through the completion of a neutrality pact.