AFFAIRS IN SIBERIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 April 1922, Page 5

AFFAIRS IN SIBERIA.

EVACUATION OF JAPANESE. UNREST CONTINUES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn—Copyright. Tokio, April 3. The Asahi Shimbun announced that the Japanese Cabinet had decided on the immediate evacuation of Siberia, attributing its decision to the activities of the Republicans. The newspaper adds that representatives of the Darien have been informed of Japan’s intention. Dispatches from Japanese correspondents in Siberia report frequent minor clashes between* the Chita Reds and the Japanese, with the latter avoiding aggressions, even to the extent of withdrawing before the Red advance. The Reds are pressing forward on ooth wings and almost envelope the Japanese garrison at Spaskaya which Japanese civilians are evacuating. The Reds advanced to within four miles of Spaskaya, exchanging shots with Japanese outposts, who withdrew. Japanese garrisons in the vicinity of Harbarovsk have been ordered to withdraw. This will be difficult for some detachments, which will probably have to enter Chinese territory.

In view of the uneasiness felt by Japanese residents and Russian whites the Japanese command has issued a communique stating that the withdrawals of advanced poets are not forced by the Reda but are carried out in pursuance of the policy of avoiding open hostilities as long as possible, in the hope of an eventual amicable understanding. The command’s communique added that in the event of future developments forcing the Japanese army to demonstrate a display of efficiency it would not hesitate to take drastic steps. The Japanese command has also dispatched a note to the Chita Government demanding the immediate disarming of the invading Reds or their prompt withdrawal. On Chita’s initiative the correspondent of the Asahi Shimbun says that Chita is unlikely to obey, Even courting the risk of the defeat of her armies, which will be used as a demonstration in support of the charge that Japan is aggressively ambitious. 'Chita hopes thus to create American and European suspicion regarding Japan. EIGHTY CHITIANS KILLED. HEAVY ARTILLERY OPERATING. Received April 5, 10.25 p.m. Tokio, April 5. The War Office has confirmed the despatches announcing a conflict between .Japanese troops and the troops of Chita, near Spasskoye, a hundred miles from Vladivostock. Eighty Chilians were killed in battle. Heavy artillery fire is raging— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.