CHINESE RAILWAY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 93, 21 April 1933, Page 7

CHINESE RAILWAY

BONE OF CONTENTION

RUSSIA AND JAPAN

MANCHTTKUO'S STATUS

Unites Press Association—By Electric "Tel* graph—Copyright. (Received April 21, 9 a.m.) TOKIO, Aprii 20. Baron Uchida, the Japanese Foreign Minister, replying to M. Karakhan's Note regarding the settlement of the Chinese Eastern railway dispute, says it must be settled by direct ManchuSoviet negotiations. The Soviet must recognise Manchukuo's equal footing in the management of the railway and abstain from arbitrary actions imperilling peace and order in the Par East. ~ The Foreign Office spokesman Intimated that Japan does not intend positive action. It is suggested that there is a possibility of a scheme to off-set the Russian debt, amounting to upwards of 500,000,000 yen, for the purchase price of the. Chinese Eastern railway. Otherwise Japan will not be buying. A-messago from Shanghai dated April 15 stated that following Moscow's con-' sent to return the Chinese Eastern Railway rolling stock, except locomotives, the Manchukuo Government would present a Note demanding unconditional return of all engines belonging to the Chinese Eastern Bailway. It was believed, the message stated, that if the Soviet Government called a strike- on the railway or hedges in any way Manchukuo would proceed to seize the whole line in which Russia j has a half-share. A Moscow message,! dated April. 18, stated that an abrupt Note had been handed to the Japanese Ambassador citing Tecent incidents regarding the Chinese Eastern Railway prejudicial to Soviet interests, and asking for,a speedy reply, guaranteeing efficient measures to safeguard Soviet rights. The Note complained that tho Manchukuo authorities' seizure of railway property.amounted to robbery, alleged the murder, kidnapping, and torture of Russians employed thereon, and failure to pay for the transport of Japanese soldiers.