SUBMISSION OR WAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 August 1938, Page 5

SUBMISSION OR WAR

RUSSIA DICTATES TERMS TO JAPAN Frontiers Thoroughly Established SOVIET WILL NOT TOLERATE PRESENCE OF FOREIGN TROOPS By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. MOSCOW, August 5. An official communique announcing Russia’s rejection of the Japanese peace terms says that M. Litvinov told Mr Shigemitsu a the Japanese Government must respect the Soviet borders on the basis of the map annexed to the 1886 Russo-Chinese Treaty. If Japan i not have a copy the Soviet would provide one, but there could be no question regarding the frontiers being thoroughly established. M. Litvinov emphasised that the Japanese occupation of Manchukuo did not give her the right to demand frontier changes. Japanese action, he insisted, had provoked the present crisis. . The Communique added that if Japan did not desire war.sne must renounce her claims to the disputed area, accept.the previous boundary demarcation and withdraw all troops from the territory in question. The Soviet would never tolerate the presence of foreign troops on any part of its soil. _ , So long as Japanese soldiers remained the Soviet would reseive freedom of action. . . . Mr Shigemitsu promised to refer the Soviet viewpoint to Tokio. MINOR CONCESSION. LONDON, August 5. The Moscow correspondent of the “News Chronicle says M. Litvinov pointed out that if Japan accepted the basic Russian conditions the Soviet would be ready to include Changkufeng in the list of frontier points to be clarified—but not revised—by an independent border commission. ATTACK MAINTAINED. RUSSIAN PLANES BOMB CHANGKUFENG. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) TOKIO, August 5. Four Russian planes bombed Changkufeng at 3.30 p.m. They were driven off by gunfire. Two Korean villages were heavily bombarded, Japanese guns firing only against the planes. All hostilities ceased at nightfall. POSITIONS BOMBARDED. ANOTHER STERN PROTEST TO MOSCOW. TOKIO, August 5. Soviet troops at 4.30 a.m. renewed their heavy bombardment of the Japanese positions in Changkufeng. The Japanese made a vigorous reply. Japan is again sternly protesting to Moscow. Freight and passenger traffic has been suspended on the Sungar River, north of the disputed area.