WAR UNLIKELY

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 463, 3 July 1937, Page 5

WAR UNLIKELY

" MUR RIVER INCIDENT Russo-Japanese Clash Press Association —Copyright. Moscow, July 2. Conferences between Russia and Japan over the Amur River incident, tome of which were heated, resulted in the issue of a communique disclosing that M. Litvinof, while reiterat iDg the Soviet protest against the bombardment of Russian gunboats, is reserving the right to claim compensation. He offered to withdraw the Russian troops from the disputed islands if Japan and Manchukuo act similarly. The prevalent opinion at Tokio is that the Amur clash will not lead to war. it is believed the Russians created the to divert public attention from the recent internal upheavals and to impress the Japanese that the Red Army is still ready for business. The trouble was caused' by a Russian gunboat being sunk by Japanese and Manchukuan gunfire on Amur River with heavy loss of life. Three Soviet gunboats opened fire on Japanese and Manchukuan forces, which were obliged to retaliate, sinking one, damaging another and forcing the third to retire,