DISARMING THE REDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 81, 5 April 1922, Page 5

DISARMING THE REDS.

JAP. DEMAND TO CHITA. ißeeeivei] n.:«i a.m.) TOKYO, April 4. Tn view of the uneasiness felt by Japanese residents and the Russian "White' , forces, the .)apane-»' command has issued a ci>tninunii|ue stating that the withdrawals of advanced posts were not forced by the Hods. Irnt were carried out in pursuance of the policy nf avoiding upon hostilities as long as was- possible, in the hope of an eventual amicable understanding.

The communique added tliat in the event of future developments forcing the •Japanese army to demonstrate its eilioiency it would not hesitate to take drastic steps. The Japanese command also dispaU!ie<l a Note to the Government demanding the immediate disarming of tin- iinadiujr Keds or their prompt withdrawal on Chita's initiative.

The oorrpspondt'in of ilie '"Asa hi Shiinliun" says that the Chita Government is iiol likely to obey, even courtilljr tlie risk of the "det'eal of tlicir armies. which would ho used to dcroonstrate in support of the. charge that Japan was aggressively ambitious. The Chita tiovI'nillH'llt hopes thus to create American ami European suspicion regarding .l.ipau. ( Ki'titer.) CLASHES WITH THE REDS. JAP. OUTPOSTS WITHDRAW. ißopplvnl II.:MJ a.m.) TOKYO. April 1. Dispatches from .lapanese correspondents in Siberia report frequent minor .lashes Let ween the Chita Kcds and t he Japanese, with the hitler avoiding aggressions, even to the extent of withdrawals before the Ked advance. The Keds are pressing forward en both wings, and almost envelop (he Japanese garrison at Spaskaya, which .lapanese civilians are evacuating. The Reds advanced to within four miles of Spa.-kaya. exchanging shots with Japanese outposts, who withdrew. Japanese garrisons in the vicinity of Harbarovsk were ordered to withdraw. This will he difficult for some detachments, which will probably have to cuter Chinese territory, i A. ami N.Z. Cable.)