FAR EAST FEARS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 92, 13 January 1936, Page 9

FAR EAST FEARS

Grave Developments Foreseen RUSSIA AND JAPAN Strong' Soviet Defences In Siberia THREAT FROM GERMANY ALSO SEEN» By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—-Copyright. (Received January 12, 6.30 p.m.) London, January 10. The “News Chronicle” foresees grave Russo-Japanese developments owing to Far Eastern complications. M. Molotov, President of the Council of People’s Commissars, declared, amid applause, at a meeting of the Soviet Central Executive, that Japan and Germany were threatening Russia, consequently an increased military Budget was necessary. He added that the Soviet’s own forces would defend its frontier. lie pointed out that Anglo-Russian relations had markedly improved, and hoped this would continue. On the contrary, Herr Hitler had never withdrawn his earlier antiRussian threats, consequently all his aggressive statements must still be regarded as valid, despite the recent Russo-German trade agreement. More over, Germany was continuing an antiSoviet policy in Poland, Finland and Baltic States, while a Japanese-Ger-man military agreement was rumoured. Meanwhile, Japan was strengthening her Kwantung army and exerting stronger pressure in North China. The “Morning Post’s” Riga correspondent says that Soviet fortifications on a 1500-mile front from Baikal to ■Vladivostok are nearing completion. Details are kept secret, but. they are known to include numerous forts, antiaircraft bases and underground barracks of reinforced concrete. A mile behind the first line is a second line. Between are numerous “tank traps” fitted with Soviet-invented tank mines, also special sectors called death traps, where the enemy would be allowed to penetrate. Several auxiliary railways have already been built in the Baikal. Amur and Vladivostok regions. Fortifications in the latter region extend two miles behind Vladivostok, while the Nikolsk and Blagovyeshchensk stations are described by the Soviet as the “Verduns” of the Far East.