A BACKGROUND TO THE NEWS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 272, 13 August 1938, Page 9

A BACKGROUND TO THE NEWS

Russia In Manchuria

Au armistice has been declared between Russia and Japan on the Man churian frontier, while representative, from both sides negotiate the demarcation of the frontier on the basis ot rm. 1860 treaty. _ In the sixteenth century the Russians crossed the Ural Mountains as commercial adventurers, primarily to obtain furs in Asia. A treaty concluded on October 27,1680, at Nerchensk, when Peter the Great ascended, the throne, between Russian and Chinese envoJ ?” extended the Russian Empire to tm. northern boundary of Manchuria along the Argun River, a tributary of the Amur, and from the Kamennuo mountain range to the Okhotsk Sea. This was the first treaty China signed with a European Power; it was also the first treatv relating to Manchuria. In 1858, by a so-called Aigun Treaty, the whole vast territory north of the Amur River to the Bering Sea was definitely ceded to Russia. Another large territory, east of the Ussuri River io the Sea of Japan and the Korean frontier, called the Maritime Province, which was placed under the common overlordship of China and Russia by the Aigun Treaty, finally became absolutely Russian territory by the Peking Treaty concluded on November 14, 1860.. It is this treaty that is now- in question. Qn Peter-the-Great Bay, in the Maritime Province, the port of Vladivostok, for the accommodation of the Russian Pacific fleet, was founded.

Canada And Trade Mr. R. B. Bennett accuses Mr. W • L. Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada, of being willing to give away the preference privilege with the United Kingdom for the chance to enter United States markets. “In the same measure that Canada s bonds with the Empire have become weaker,” says David Martin, in “Current History,” “her bonds with the United States have become stronger—or perhaps it would be more correct if this were stated in inverse order. “Her geographical proximity to the United States, the nature of her economy, the common interests of the two nations, predestined her collaboration with her ‘good neighbour’ to the south.

“The two nations commonly share the greatest internal waterway system in the world. Canada utilises two transportation corridors through American territory, one through Maine to the Maritimes, the other through the Alaskan fringe to Skagway. The United States has two corridors through Canadian territory, one through Ontario and the other through British Columbia to Alaska.

“While it has been pointed out by quite logical cynics that Canada could not hope to defend herself against an invasion from the United States, the 4000 miles of unfortified border still stands as a testimony to the collabora- ' tion between the two nations. “American capital has invested in Canada some 3.990,000,000 dollars out of a total foreign investment (in Canada) of 0,889.000.000. and Canadian capital has invested in the United States 1,311,000,000 dollars out of a total investment abroad of 2,083,000,000. Trade between the two countries has reached a peak of 523,000,000 dollars exported to the United States, and 894,000.000 imported. Almost half of Canada’s total trade within recent years has been with the United States while scarcely one-third of her total trade has been with the United Kingdom.

“The flow of commerce has been accompanied by a flow of immigrants and tourists and ideas and culture. ... It has been estimated that one out of every seven or eight native Canadians migrates to the United States. Each year 20,000,000 American tourists and visitors cross into Canada, while several million Canadians cross into the United States.” Italian Navy

It is reported that Italy will shortly begin construction of 12 light qyuisers bearing the names of Roman emperors and warriors. They will be the biggest of their type in the peace-etime programme of any Power. The expansion of the Italian navy has been called the “crowning achievement” of Fascism. It was done quietly at first, and when in 1925 Italy began to demand naval parity with France she was not taken very seriously. Later on the French, at least, took notice. Part of the French navy was tied to the Channel by the growing naval force of Germany; parity would mean Italian superiority; and at the rate at which Italy was building that danger was not entirely unreal. France refused the Italian demand with increasing firmness. Italy proceeded to take what was not given. Neither France nor Italy signed the London Naval Treaty of 1930.

In the' opinion of experts the Italians are splendid shipbuilders—have always been so. They are not afraid to try bold, modern designs. Within 10 years they put in commission a navy equal, if not superior,- to the French Mediterranean fleet. Compared with the British Mediterranean fleet. Italy at the opening of the Abyssinian crisis, had twice the number of cruisers and destroyers, eight times as many submarines, and - many more small craft. Moreover, the Italian vessels were, ship for ship, faster and newer than the British. And they were building the two largest and fastest battleships in the world. The naval personnel was rejuvenated and thoroughly trained. Coast defences were strengthened and many new naval and air bases were established both in Italy, ineluding Sicily and Sardinia, and on the Aegean islands. Canada’s Defences

Canada’s land, sea and air defences are to be reorganised in the near future, according to a cable from Ottawa. With in the past two years Canadian defence estimates have been considerably increased. Expenditures, which stood at £5,000,000 in 1936, were increased to over £7,000,000 in 1937, and about the same for this year. Special attention hag been paid to the Pacific Coast. The Canadian Navy, which consisted of two destroyers in 1936. was increased to four destroyers in 1937, and to six this year. Mine-sweepers have also been purchased. The air force was increased by 102 planes in 1937 and will be increased by 75 planes this year—to give Canada a total air force of over 300 planes. Some £1.20.001) has been earmarked for air bases, and £50,000 for a magazine near a naval base. Large stores of ammuni tion are being made. Guns are being set up at strategical points, and Vancouver Island is being made a “minia tore Gibraltar.”

Canada’s standing army is over 4000 men. while she also has a nou-perman-ent militia of 100.000 men. Government munition works are being prepared for full-time production, and 700 .additional plants have been inspected wit Li a view to conversion to the manufacture of arms upon short notice