RUSSIA AND JAPAN DECLARE ARMISTICE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22478, 12 August 1938, Page 11

RUSSIA AND JAPAN DECLARE ARMISTICE

Border Dispute to be Settled - By Commission

BASIS FOR AGREEMENT NOT YET DECIDED

Mr Shigemitsu to Refer Minor Points To Tokyo

(■CTSnTED PRESS ASSOCIATIOR—COPYRIGHT.) (Received August 11, 10 p.m.) MOSCOW, August 11. A Russian-Japanese armistice is officially announced. It provides for a boundary commission of two Soviet and two Japanese representatives, who will negotiate the demarcation of the frontier on the basis of the old Russian-Japanese map, presumably that attached to the 1860 Treaty. __ An official communique reveals that the proposals on which the armistice was based came, from M. Litvinov, who also suggested that the border commission should include an arbitrator from a third Power. The Japanese Ambassador (Mr Shigemitsu) would not agree, and M. Litvinov did not insist. Agreement is still to be reached regarding the basis on which the boundary commission is to work, says the communique. M. Litvinov proposed that this should be the_ agreements and maps bearing the signatures of the Chinese and Soviet plenipotentiary representatives. Mr Shigemitsu suggested the inclusion of other documents, but promised to refer the point to Tokyo.

After intermittent hostilities overnight the Japanese buglers on the Changkufeng front sounded “Cease Are” at noon, local time. Two hours previously, the whole front was ablaze with rifle and shell fire.

The Russians earlier had violently attacked the Japanese lines, using hand grenades, but were repulsed. Five Soviet aeroplanes flew over Korea. One was brought down as the bugles rang out. The Russians and Japanese were separated at Changkufeng by 70 yards, at Shaotsaoping by 320 yards, at Hill 52 by 430 yards, and at Kangwanping by 220 yards. The terms of the armistice have been received in Tokyo without comment. Prices advanced from two to five points on the Toky» exchange as a result of the armistice. The opinion is expressed in official circles in Moscow that the situation is clearing, but it is by no means settled. ■ The possibility of renewed outbreaks at Changkufeng and elsewhere is not eliminated. The conditions of the armistice provide that “the troops of both sides shall keep the territory occupied at midnight on August 10 (local time), also that Russia and Japan shall send representatives to arrange the details of the cessation of hostilities.” Mr Shigemitsu’s conference with M. Litvinov opened at 7 p.m., was suspended at 10 p.m., resumed again at II p.m. and ended at midnight. M. Litvinov said that this would cause more fighting because each side would try to gain the advantage before reaching an agreement. He put forward the counter-proposal that hostilities should cease when both sides agreed not to go across or shoot across the boundary line as marked in the treaty between China and the Soviet of 1868. He insisted that the Soviet would not tolerate Japanese troops on Soviet territory as defined by treaty. Admitting that Soviet troops crossed the frontier into Manchukuo, Russia officially announced that her troops have forced a wedge in the Changkufeng sector and occuJ>ied positions 300 metres across the ine marked on the map which Russia insists that Japan accept, as the frontier, while the Japanese occupy Bezymyan Hill, 200 metres inside of the Soviet area. The Russians repeatedly repulsed the Japanese attacks. The Japanese military maintain complete control of the heights of Changkufeng and Shaotsaoping, but they insist that they have not advanced a foot into Soviet territory in spite of sustained provocation. The Domei News Agency reports that Japan again protested to Moscow, alleging that Soviet troops crossed the Manchukuo frontier near Tungning, 100 miles north of Shaotsaoping, and began digging trenches. The Japanese drove them out, killing two.

NO PRACTICAL HELP FROM GERMANY

LONDON, August 10. The Berlin correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” reports that well informed circles state that the Japanese Ambassador (Mr S. Togo) in conversation with the German foreign Minister (Herr von Ribbenifop) made far-reaching offers regarding former German colonies in the Far East, but Herr von Ribbec- ♦ S * ns * ste d that Germany, in spite Of her friendship, saw no means of Practically assisting Japan against Russia. .The official German view remains that every effort is essential to present the extension of hostilities. AdJice to that effect has been given Tokyo.

CHINESE CLAIM SUCCESS

JAPANESE HAMPERED

BY FLOODS

HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED AT HANKOW (Received August 11, 2 p.m.) LONDON, August 10. The Hong Kong correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” states that it is officially claimed in Canton that the Chinese offensive on the north bank of the Yangtse is gaining ground. The Japanese suffered heavy losses at Hwangmei, where they are facing extermination, because of the Chinese intercepting their reinforcements. Moreover, floods are preventing the Japanese from bringing up their transport and heavy equipment.

It is confirmed that the Japanese are withdrawing to the northwards from their bases in Shansi and Honan,. presumably because of the Russian-Japanese situation. Mr Peter Roberts, an English aviator, states that 1000 Russian pilots and aircraftsmen at Hankow, equipped with 50 bombers and 100 pursuit aeroplanes, are raiding the Japanese vessels in the Yangtse and are sinking river craft, motor-boats and an occasional destroyer.