MANY SOVIET FORTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 89, 12 October 1938, Page 11

MANY SOVIET FORTS

FACING MANCHUKUO

THE JAPANESE OPINION

Japanese military authorities at Hsinking, the capital.-of Manchukuo, declare the Russian military preparations near Possiet Bay and m other sectors embrace every form of military fortifications from rifle pits and machine-gun nests to emplacements for the heaviest artillery, writes Douglas Robertson from Hsinkmg, Manchukuo, to the "New York Times. The Soviet fortifications and military preparations are said to be equal to Soviet defences along the Polish and Rumanian frontiers, but the Japanese apparently do not regard the Possiet Bay fortifications of great significance. They point out that it would be a serious tactical error for the Soviet to allow large numbers of men and large quantities of guns and military supplies to become bottled up around the Possiet Bay peninsula because they could be easily cut off by Japanese from Korea. A Manchukuoan Army staff officer, Colonel Michi Yamaoka, has declared that apparently the Soviet realised the dangers around Possiet Bay because after the outbreak of hostilities at Changkufeng Russian troops were withdrawn through the bottle neck and did not return until it became evident that the Jaoanese forces would not attempt to advance into Soviet territory. "SOVIET ARMY CRIPPLED." Colonel Yamaoka declared that the Changkufeng fighting gave the Japanese several valuable lessons, primarily' that Japan has nothing to fear from the Soviet military machine. He said Russia's Far Eastern armies were suffering from a serious lack of organisation similar to their crippled condition following the outbreak of the World War in 1914. • He stressed that although Japan had no <fear of Russia's military strength it did not mean that Russia could not wage a stiff fight. He declared it would be a great mistake to underestimate Russia's strength, because such a large, country with vast resources could carry on a long struggle. Colonel Yamaoka declared a second Russo-Japanese war was practically inevitable. He said that Japan would not take any steps that might provoke the Soviet into actions that would force Japan and Manchukuo to take up arms, but added significantly: "Japan's patience is not entirely limitless." When asked when the war would start, he replied, "Ask the Soviets." He added that Japan was fully prepared and must keep on preparing for all emergencies. Soviet activities were said to have shifted to the Chinese Provinces of Sinkiang, Shensi, and Shansi, which Japan was watching closely. THE BORDER INQUIRY. A snag appears to have been struck by the border commissions investigating the Changkufeng border. The Japanese declare the Russians desire to base negotiations on old treaties and maps, while the treaty signed in Peking on May 24 declared that old treaties would be abolished and new agreements substituted. It was said to have been agreed that the old borders would stand only until redemarcation Japan and Manchukuo view with extreme disfavour the Russian proposal that a third party be invited to take part in the border negotiations, declaring that the final decision would rest with such a party, which would be intolerable in such an important question. The Changkufeng sector has not reported for several days, possibly due to the recurrence of heavy downpours in Northern Korea and Eastern Manchukuo. Sixteen-year-old records were declared to have been broken by the recent rainfall and floods. Up to August 25 943 had been drowned and 343 were missing. The flood destroyed 4436 houses and damaged more than 17,000.

At present there is no means to check the damage to crops, railways, and other communications. It is expected the total loss will be several million yen.