RUSSIAN FEARS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1911, Page 3

RUSSIAN FEARS.

MANCHtJRIAN CHINESE ARMING. (Per Independent Cable Service). ST. PETERSBURG, June 7. A leading article in the newspaper Novoe Vremya draws attention to the f.ict that Chinese are arming in Manchuria. Ft refers warningly to the dangers which may arise from this activity, and advises great vigilance on the part of th. 3 Russian authorities. The paper states that 6500 Europeantrained troops are quartered within a three days' journey of Harbin, that auxiliary Chinese troops are being maintained in th'? same area, and that C O.OX) so-called rural guards have been drafted among ,the Chinese workmen on the eastern railroad. Further, four divisions of regular troops are commanding a strategical position, and would be likely to give great trouble if hostilities occurred. The opinion .is expressed that Russia would be in a sorry plight if peace were disturbed at present, for she could oppose the Chinese with only a feeble railroad police for'.-?, which is now scarcely able to deal with the outrages committed by hordes of Chinese bandits. "For decades," the paper adds. "Russia has steadily refused to face the position which would arise if a serious breach occurred with a foreign Power in full armour. She is in a state of absolute unpreparedness and irresolution, and does not realise the danger which is threatening in the Far East;"