SOVIET MOVE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20912, 18 September 1939, Page 9

SOVIET MOVE

TRUCE WITH JAPAN MANCHUKUAN FRONTIER APPROACH TO TURKEY United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 17 Japan and Russia have agreed to an armistice on the Manchukuan frontier, states a message from the official new agency in Moscow. This announcement has been followed by a despatch from Tokio, which says that the Japanese Foreign Office confirms the truce and the order to cease fire has been given. A report from Japanese sources in Shanghai states that hostilities on the border have ceased. A despatch from Istanbul says it is officially announced there that the .Turkish Foreign Minister, Sukru Saracoglu Bey, has gone to Moscow to conclude a mutual assistance pact between Turkey and Russia, to maintain the security of the Black Sea and the Balkans. It Is authoritatively stated that Turkey will not sign the pact unless she is convinced that it is compatible with British and Turkish commitments. The Moscow report of the truce with Japan says it was on the following terms: (1) The Japanese-Manchukuan and Soviet-Mongolian troops should cease hostilities at 2 a.m. yesterday (10.30 a.m., New Zealand time, Saturday). (2) The combatants should remain on the lines occupied at 1 p.m. on Friday (9.30 p.m., New Zealand time). (3) The representatives of both sides should carry out the above agreements immediately. (4) Prisoners and bodies should be exchanged forthwith. It was further agreed that a commission consisting of two delegates from each side should be organised at the earliest moment to establish the precise frontier in the disputed area. It was subsequently reported that the commission was being appointed and would meet soon. The dispute relates to scores of points on the border.

PROPOSED PACT

RUSSIA AND JAPAN “THE MOST DISTANT FUTURE” RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, Sept. 16 According to the Moscow correspondent of the New York Times, Japanese circles in Russia say that the question of a non-aggression pact between the Soviet and Japan is one for the most distant future. They point out that the present agreement does not affect issues like the Sakhalin dispute and Russian support of the Chinese Communists. They also assert that the majority of the commanders of the Chinese forces are Russian, and that Communist propaganda among the Chinese is even more dangerous. They profess scepticism about a settlement of these questions, especialfy the latter, which would be essential for a non-aggres-sion pact. It is admitted that the agreement will please Germany, but It Is maintained that it will facilitate the negotiations between the British and Japanese. Anxiety for Free Hand The correspondent says it was stated that in the course of the negotiations the Russians showed a readiness to agree, due to anxiety for a free hand on the Russian western front. The armistice, he adds, has not surprised British circles, which feared a neutrality pact, but they certainly do not welcome it, as it enables Japan to stiffen her terms if Britain wishes to prevent a further German success through completion of a neutrality pact. The Rome correspondent of the New York Times says the RussoJapanese agreement is regarded in Italy as a step toward the returning of Japan to the'German sphere. Significantly, the Japanese General Terauchi is going to Berlin and will visit the Eastern Front. Japan’s Enemies The newspaper Hochi says the Tokio-Berlin Axis is obsolete in so far as anti-Communism is concerned. However, the Japanese-German spiritual front remains vis a vis the democracies. While the democracies pursue a policy in favour of Marshal Chiang Kai-shek they should be deemed to be Japan’s enemies. Russia has appointed M. Constantine Smetanin as Ambassador to Japan, thus filling a vacancy which has lasted a year.