BOLD TONE TAKEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 August 1938, Page 6

BOLD TONE TAKEN

JAPAN AND THE FRONTIER CLASH Firm Action Against Russia if Necessary BUT HOPES THAT DIPLOMACY MAY SERVE By Telegraph—Press Association. —Copyright. (Received This Day at noon). TOKIO, August 1. The Foreign Office heads are reported to be willing to consider the Changkufeng affair an isolated incident, in the hope of avoiding a more serious sequel. Unofficial observers believe a conflict will be avoidable if Japan refrains from reprisals and Russia eschews further action. Japan, in view of her Chinese commitments, prefers diplomacy to force, though a Foreign Office spokesman disclosed that the Chinese campaign would not be relaxed in the event of a Russo-Japanese war. The War Minister, General Itagaki, the premier, Prince Kbnoye, and Army officers are believed to have agreed upon firm action if Russia is provocative, meanwhile taking precautions against possible Russian air raids on South-Western Japan. It was agreed to regard the Russian air raids on Changkufeng, which caused no damage and no casualties and were repelled by anti-aircraft gunfire, as a demonstration following upon the recapture of Changkufeng and Shaotsop'ing. SOVIET REJOINDER. LOSSES MOSTLY ON JAPANESE SIDE. STRONG PROTEST TO TOKIO. (Received This Day, 12.40 p.m.) MOSCOW, August 1. It is officially announced that the Changkufeng conflict resulted, in 400 Japanese casualties. Thirteen Russians were killed and 55 wounded. The Soviet is strongly protesting to Tokio. Tonight’s communique states that the Russians recaptured Changkufeng Hill. A later cablegram states that the casualties occurred during the Russian recapture of Changkufen g. 1