TENSION GROWING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 August 1938, Page 5

TENSION GROWING

RUSSO=JAPANESE BORDER CLASH STATEMENTS VERY MUCH IN CONFLICT. CONTRADICTORY ASSERTIONS & DENIALS. By Telegraph —Press Association. Copyright. SHANGHAI, August 1. The situation on the ManchukuonSoviet border is becoming daily more tense following yesterday’s six-hour battle between Russian and Japanese troops in which there were many casualties. Moscow’s version of the clash yesterday is that the fighting began when Japanese artillery opened fire without warning and troops attacked the Soviet guards. It is asserted that the Japanese occupied Soviet territory “to a depth of 2J miles” in the hills to the west of Lake Hassan. The Japanese version of the incident is that Soviet troops attacked their patrols with infantry and tanks. Jt is also claimed that Russian troops concentrated on the northern border of Korea bombarded the towns of Kojo and Sokan.

SERIOUS OUTLOOK. I CENSORSHIP OVER NEWS IN JAPAN. TOKIO, August 1. Prince Kanin, Chief of the General Staff, has hurriedly returned to Tokio from his holiday. The seriousness of the situation is indicated by the fact that the newspapers are forbidden to publish details and comments apart from the official communique. It is claimed that 11 Soviet tanks aqd two large guns were captured. A later communique from the War Office states that the Russians lost 30 more men who were killed in last night’s counter-attacks. Korean headquarters report that the Russians have withdrawn from Changkufeng and Shaotsaoping, with the exception of a few garrison companies. All is now quiet. DELIBERATE AGGRESSION. ALLEGED BY JAPAN. / TOKIO, August 1. The Foreign Office spokesman said today that the Russian bombardment of Kojo and Sajan was premeditated and that proof of this is the accuracy of the Russian fire which was kept up till last night. The Japanese, it is stated, withheld their attack till the Russians embarked on their act of aggression. If the attack is repeated the Russians can expect severer treatment. MOSCOW’S ATTITUDE. “NO KNOWLEDGE OF CLASH.” MOSCOW, August 1. The War Commissar declares that he has no knowledge of the clash. Yet the official news agency announces that the Japanese suffered heavy losses in men and material. HEAVY RUSSIAN LOSSES. ACCORDING TO JAPANESE REPORT. (Recd This Day, 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, August 1. The “Times” Tokio correspondent says an official communique indicates the severity of the Changkufeng operations on Saturday and Sunday. The Soviet losses are estimated at 270. AIR BOMBING. ATTACK BY RtISSIAN PLANES. (Recd This Day, 9.55 a.m.) TOKIO, August 1. The Domei News Agency states that Russian warplanes twice bombed and machine-gunned Japanese positions at Changkufeng. The headquarters of the Japanese Kwantung army in North China reports the shooting down of four raiding Russian aeroplanes on the Changkufeng border. The report adds that 800 motorised Russian infantry are concentrated at Suetashi and that artillery is arriving at Karanchin.