SOVIET AND JAPAN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 40, 27 November 1940, Page 5

SOVIET AND JAPAN.

QUESTION OF THEIR RELATIONS

TOKIO’S REPORTED SUGGESTION

(United Press Association—Copyright.)

CHUNGKING. November 26.

Anierican newspaper correspondents have ascertained that the Free China Government will express its complete confidence that M. Stalin will refuse to make any deal with Tokio which 'would lesson Soviet aid to China or release the Japanese Army, at present immobile in Manchuria and Mongolia, for use against China in other areas.

It is understood that- LieutenantGeneral Tatekawa (Japanese Ambassador in Moscow) has actually suggested the total demilitarisation of the Siber-lan-Manchurian border in exchange for which Japan would cede the major portion of north Manchuria to Russia. This would relieve Japan of a surprise attack from Siberia." and*, would also release many divisions' and aeroplanes for use in a southward push.

North Manchuria, except for strategic importance, has been a costly disappointment to Japan. *.* Colonisation schemes there have been an litter failure. Gold and other mineral deposits are imported to be unimpressive. Forests have not repaid work on them and the 1940 crops have failed.