PEACE IN THE FAR EAST.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 304, 24 December 1929, Page 6

PEACE IN THE FAR EAST.

It is not yet possible to say precisely oil what terms the Russo-Chinese dispute in Manchuria is to be settled, but it is some satisfaction to learn that this wholly needless and atrocious war has ceased, at least for the time. Apparently Russia is in control of the situation, for the protocol now signed arranges for the restoration of the "status quo" on the Eastern Chinese Railway. It will &<; remembered that the Russian officials were ejected from the railway and the line was seized by the Chinese authorities on the ground that the Soviet Government was making use of its position as controller of the railway to diffuse Bolshevik propaganda throughout the country. As the "status quo" is to be restored, it is evident that China has been forced to accept Russia's terms. There is to be a conference at Moscow next month to settle outstanding differences, but it is evident that Russia has scored a diplomatic as well as a military success in the Far East. How far the collapse of China's resistance is due to the pressure exercised upon the Nationalist Government by the revolt of the Kuommchun party and the stress of the civil war it is impossible to say. But clearly the authorities at Nanking are not in a position to conduct hostilities on a large scale against a foreign enemy, and they imr.t mr.k? terms with Russia to leave themselves a chance of dealing successfully with their domestic difficulties.