CHINA AND RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 265, 5 August 1929, Page 11

CHINA AND RUSSIA

FORMAL NEGOTIATIONS DELAYED MOSCOW’S DEMANDS COUNTER-PROPOSALS FOR SOVIET (United Press Association.— By■ Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Australian Press Association. (Rec. August 4, 5.5 p.m.) Shanghai, August 3. It is reported that Moscow has rejected China’s proposals for a settlement of the Eastern Railway dispute, insisting on compliance with the Soviet’s proposals of July 25—viz., restoration of the status quo before opening negotiations. M. Karakhan’s reply to Marshal Chang Hsueh Liang’s overtures declares that China’s attitude “creates a situation fraught with grave possibilities the entire responsibility for which rests upon the Mukden and Nanking Governments.”

It is reported that Tsai Yun Sheng, the Harbin Commissioner of Foreign Affairs, has presented several demands to M. Meeiinokov, the Soviet Consul at Harbin, being preliminary conditions to the opening of the form. 1 negotiations. The first of these is that the Eastern railway be placed under exclusive Chinese control; second, the Chinese merchant ship’s crews seized by Soviet gunboats be immediately released; third, all Soviet employees on the Eastern railway be controlled by the Chinese director-general of the Eastern railway; fourth, both countries immediately halt military activities. In the meantime China offers to issue a formal declaration denying support to the White Russian movement. Diplomatic circles at Nanking believe the opening of formal negotiations beteen China and Russia in connection with the railway dispute is not likely to take place for several days, basing this view on the belief that the Soviet demands are not acceptable to the Nanking Government. RED AND WHITE CLASHES Australian Press Association. Shanghai, August 2. Red and White Russian outbreaks on the Siberian border are causing the Chinese military authorities in Manchuria to strengthen their defences ostensibly to avoid Chinese soil becoming a battleground for Russian differences. It is reported that the Soviet troops have further advanced their positions following receipt of reinforcements.