Far East Fighting

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 741, 14 August 1929, Page 9

Far East Fighting

REDS AND CHINESE CLASH

Skirmishes 0n Border

(Unwed P..-i.——By Telegraph—Copyrigl:" (Australian and .\'.Z. Press Association} Received 9.20 a.m. SHANGHAI. Monday. FOLLO\VING sensational Nports of skirmishes on the SinnRu‘m‘ian border at Manchuli. the Tass News Agency announces the formation of a special Far Eastern Army under General Blnecher. former deputy commander of the Ukrainian Military District. and earlier a colleague of )l. Borodin, the Russian agent in China.

Gefieral Bluecher is reported already to haw- departed eastward.

The Manchuli report asserts that the Soviet troops were demonstrating with tanks on the border, when suddenly they Wheeled, crossed the frontier, and opened fire on Kirin troops with machine-guns. The Chinese retali' ated, and the fighting lasted for an hour, there being casualties on either side. It is further alleged that there has been fighting at several points on the frontier, although this is not confirmed officially. The reports of this fighting in Manchuria. are most persistent, and from sources usually reliable. TWO SKIRMISHES A message from Manchuli, sent yesterday, reports two skirmishes be—tween Soviet and Chinese troops on the border. Both sides had slight casualties. Chinese cavalry scouts were‘attacked by Soviet machine-gun-

ners, who replied. The exact number of casualties is unknown. This report. which the Japanese confirmed from an independent. foreign agency, adds that the clashes occupied two hours. Two Chinese were killed and ten lseverely won/led in the vicinity of Kirin. according to information emaniating from the Nanking Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 1 The Soviet is massing heavy mili‘ ' tary forces along the frontier and they have frequently invaded Chinese soil, apparently to precipitate war. The situation is regarded as extremely critical. The Chinese generals commanding the frontiers are repeatedly asking for instructions in the event of the Soviet attacks becoming more serious. NanLking has ordered strict forbearance I and self~l‘estraint.