MORE RAIDING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 August 1938, Page 5

MORE RAIDING

RUSSIANS AGAIN ATTACK CHANGKUFENG FIVE PLANES SHOT DOWN ISSUES OF PEACE OR WAR IN BALANCE. JAPAN'S NON-PROVOCATIVE ATTITUDE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. TOKIO, August 2. The War Office states that the damage of the latest Soviet air raid over Changkufeng was negligible. The Foreign Office spokesman, replying to the question of whether it was peace or war, said: “The chances are fifty-fifty. Everything depends on the attitude of the Soviet. We are maintaining a nonprovocative attitude as far as possible, but there are limits to our patience.” Citizens of Tokio have been electrified by the reports of the Soviet air raids and the heads of the War and Foreign Offices sat up all night studying reports from Hsinking and Seoul. A communique from Korea says that Soviet planes twice flew over the Japanese front-line positions at Changkufeng bombing and machine-gunning the defenders. No damage was done and there were no casualties. Later heavy bombers crossed the Tetmen River and attacked the railway near Kaimsojyo. Five Soviet planes were shot down. t REPEATED ATTACKS. POSITIONS MACHINE-GUNNED. LONDON, August 2. According to the Tokio War Office 15 Soviet planes bombed Changkufeng this morning. It is also reported that Russian warplanes twice bombed and machine-gunned the Japanese positions at Changkufeng yesterday. RUSSIAN DRIVE LAUNCHED AT SUNSET. REPULSED BY JAPANESE. (Recd This Day, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, August 2. The British United Press correspondent in Tokio says the Japanese at Changkufeng are repulsing a Russian drive, which was launched at sunset. The stock market in Tokio reflected business peoples’ serious view of the border incidents, the entire list showing losses of one to seven yen. UNITS STANDING BY JAPAN PREPARED TO ACT IF NECESSARY. BUT SEEKING DIPLOMATIC SETTLEMENT. ( Recd This Day, 9.40 a.m.) TOKIO, August 2. It is admitted that Japanese military, ;naval and air units are standing by at points in Korea. The military forces have completed full preparations in case action is necessitated, but generally are exercising restraint to prevent aggravation of the incident. A Korean army headquarters communique states: “At 6 a.m. Soviet planes, in formation, illegally crossed the border into Korea on the right flank of the Tumen River and bombed the village of Kojo.” The Manchukuoan Government has vigorously protested to the Soviet, with the warning that it must accept responsibility for the grave possibilities raised and expressing willingness to discuss diplomatic settlement once the attacks ceased. Major-General Todo, recently commander of the Korean forces, said the attacks were not likely to lead to anything serious, but Japan was prepared for anything of the kind. POSITION CRITICAL MEETING OF THE JAPANESE CABINET. LOSS OF CHANGKUFENG DENIED. TOKIO, August 2. The full Cabinet met for two hours today to consider the bombings by Soviet aeroplanes. The position is regarded as extremely, critical, . though hope of localising the conflict has not been abandoned. The Foreign Office denies that the Russians recaptured Changkufeng. Twenty additional bodies of .Russians have been found at Changkufeng, bringing the total death-roll to 70. Details from the border are scanty, but indicate that renewed fighting with tanks and aeroplanes has taken place. SOVIET STORY ATTACK MADE - BY JAPANESE DIVISION. DRIVEN BACK BY RUSSIAN REGULARS. MOSCOW, August 2. The Soviet account of the clash at Changkufeng is given in a communique issued today. Soon after the Japanese attempt to seize the heights of Bezynanoya, it is claimed, the Japanese concentrated a division fronting on the Zaozernaaya Hill, which is in Soviet territory. Then, on July 31, at 3 p.m., under cover of artillery fire, the Japanese unexpectedly attacked the Soviet frontier guards, forcing them back from Zaozernaaya. Simultaneously Japanese artillery covered the roads on the flanks to block Soviet reinforcements, while Japanese infantry penetrated Soviet territory for two and a half

miles. Several hours later Soviet regulars drove back the Japanese. The Japanese killed and wounded numbered 400. The Soviet losses were 13 killed and 55 wounded. The Japanese abandoned five big guns, 14 ma--chine-guns, and 157 rifles. The Russians lost one tank. OPTIMISM IN LONDON. CAUTION ON BOTH SIDES. (Recd This Day, 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, August 2. The Australian Associated Press says advices reaching London through diplomatic channels from Moscow and Tokio indicate that the situation at Changkufeng can be viewed with distinctly more optimism than is possible from reading factual reports of the fighting. It is considered certain that neither Russia nor Japan wishes the incident to lead to a general outbreak and that both will do their utmost to keep the clash under the category of “border troubles.” AIR DEMONSTRATION. (Recd This Day, 10.20 a.m.) TOKIO, August 2. Japanese aircraft, without being challenged, made a demonstration flight on the eastern frontier of Manchukuo. They did not trespass on Soviet territory nor engage in hostilities.