THE EASTERN CLOUD

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 667, 20 October 1933, Page 4

THE EASTERN CLOUD

The sensational withdrawal of Germany from the Disarmament Conference has overshadowecl all other questions in pqblic importance and we have been inclined to forget the growing possibili.ties of trouble in the Far East. It may be accepted without much question that neither Japan nor Russia desire open warfare over the Chinese eastern railway in Manchukuo, but the concentration of troops does not look healthy and there might be an outbreak at any moment. This important line, the product of Russian capital and engineering skill is manned by both Russians and Manchurians ; in f act most of the chief administrative positions are filled by Russians. With the coming of the Japanese into Manchuria and the formation of the State of Manchukuo the railway became a potential source of friction. Its history since has confirmed the view that it is the storm-centre of the Far East. After trouble over rolling stock early this year Japan arranged for negotiations for the purchase of Russian rights in the railway. The negotiations were a complete failure, the Russians claiming that the price offered was ridiculously low. This was the signal for Russian-Manchukuoan quarrels that have dislocated traffic and thrown the commerce of Harbin, the principal city, into confusion and caused anxiety among its population. Manchukuo has arrested Russian oiRcials for allegedly removing rolling stock into the Soviet and Russia } has sent note after note to Japan and Manchukuo demanding their release. A concentration of troops has followed. Russia may be bluffing, but in the event of war she can offer a serious challenge to Japan's sovereignty in Manchuria. The Chinese would welcome such an opportunity to harass the Japanese armies in the south. 1 . I