Troops Rush to Border

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 717, 17 July 1929, Page 9

Troops Rush to Border

RUSSO-CHINESE WAR SCARE Mukden Ordered to Mobilise RED DIVISIONS HANDY TO FRONTIER (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Received 9.17 a.m. SHANGHAI, Tuesday. MANCHURIA dispatches indicate considerable activity on the part of the Chinese, who are reported to be rushing’ well-equipped troops to strategic points on the frontier. Official advices report that Mukden has been ordered by the Nanking- Government to mobilise 100,000 troops. There is also a considerable movement of Soviet troops to the Siberian railway.

It is also reported that four Russian divisions equipped with modern weapons, poison-gas units, and an aviation corps are stationed at Vladivostock and Blagovestchensk, whereas 50,000 or 60,000 Chinese troops are encamped on the Sino-Russian border, in addition to 200,000 troops which are being mobilised 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 the affairs in dispute, providing the agreement of 1924 is faithfully carried out. Nanking will say it is ready to release the Russian prisoners, providing that Russia releases Chinese prisoners numbering 1,000. It will aver that Sino-Russian friendship is still' firm, as long as Russia abstains from Communist propaganda. Meanwhile, the latest advices state that both sides are moving troops to the frontier. It is alleged that’ the Soviet forces have already entered Western Manchuria.

RUSSIA’S ULTIMATUM

CHINA WANTS EXTENSION OF TIME EXCITEMENT AT MOSCOW (United Service) Reed. 9.17 a.m. RIGA, Tuesday. The Chinese Charge d’Affaires at Moscow has requested an extension by three days of the period fixed for the reply to the Russian Note. The guard at the Chinese Embassy been strengthened. The delivery of the ultimatum from

Moscow at Nanking was delayed owing to translation difficulties. The Soviet asked the Nanking Government to deliver a copy of the document to the Mukden Government. In the meanwhile the Soviet posted a copy of the Russian text to Mukden. Reports of war talk and patriotic demonstrations continue to be received from Moscow. Everybody there is said to be asking: “Will there he war?” The answer seems to be: “There will not.” Russia is much too afraid of Japan, whose large interests in Manchuria constitute a crucial factor. Already it is hinted that Russia may he contented, with non-military measures.