RUSSO-JAP. FRICTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 September 1934, Page 7

RUSSO-JAP. FRICTION

WRECKED TRAIN VICTIMS FILM MAN’S NARRATIVE. [BY CABLE —PBESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] SHANGHAI, September 1; Two American passengers and six Japanese were kidnapped after the train wreck. A Japanese armoured car and troops have been dispatched to the scene, and are now attempting to overtake the bandits. The Americans are Johanson and Lury, both being representatives of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Film Corporation. Their companion was James w|ho escaped. He stated that when he realised that the bandits were attacking the train, he locked his compartment and threw himself to the floor, while a hail of. bullets was pouring along the entire coach. He said: “The bandits attempted to smash my compartment with their rifle butts, but they did not succeed, while I lay shivering and fearing death at any moment. The railway guards, apparently, attempted to hold off the attackers, but they were vastly outnumbered.” Several’ small flags and also brashsards inscribed “Friends of the Soviet,” were found on the scene, while there were entrenchments found along the line, thus indicating careful preparations for the outrage. This wrecking has added additional fuel to the already highly inflammable and strained situation between the Soviet and the. Japanese regarding the sale and future control of the Chinese Eastern Railway. Yet another bandit outrage on the Chinese Eastern Railway was reported to-day when a train was derailed by the usual methods. Details of this are lacking, but it, was stated that the Russian loco, engineer and the Chinese firemen were killed.

A SOVIET PROTEST. (Received September 3, 9.30 a.m.) RIGA, September 2. The Soviet handed the Japanese Ambassador a note protesting against the inhuman tortures to which Russian prisoners in Manchuria are allegedly subjected. The note requested determined steps to prevent a continuance. MOSCOW’S WAR FEVER. (Received September 3, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 2. The “Mancheseter Guardian’s” Moscow correspondent says: The Soviet youth showed they are defence-minded when half a mililon of both sexes demonstrated in Red Square for the observance of the Twentieth International Youth Day, after speeches exhorting youth to do their utmost for the defence of the Fatherland, one contingent Composed of boys aged 8 to 10 years, harrying wooden rifles. It was noteworthy that groups of sharpshooters' were comprised of nearly half by girls. Demonstrators also manoeuvred models of battleships and miniature tanks across the Square.