RUSSIA AND CHINA

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 October 1939, Page 8

RUSSIA AND CHINA

MILITARY PACT POSSIBLE JAPANESE CONSTERNATION [by cable— press assn— copyright.] WASHINGTON, October 18. A dispatch from the correspondent of the “New York Tinies” at Shanghai states that advices received by usually reliable foreign circles in Chungking reports that a large Soviet mili- • tary mission has arrived in Chungking from Moscow, travelling in five aeroplanes. The mission consists of many experts and advisers on aerial, tank, artillery, and infantry matters. Reports of its arrival have caused consternation In Japanese circles in Shanghai. The Shanghai correspondent ot the United Press of America says that rumours are circulating about a Russian delegation to Chungking. China and Russia may shortly sign a unlitarv alliance. The Chinese are reported to have said that the Russians will be styled advisers to' China at present, but actually they are discussing with Marshal Chiang Kai-shek far-reaching agreements. A Nationalist representative here says England and France refused further aid to China because of the war. The United States had not offered effective assistance, and thus China had no choice but to turn to Russia. . . It is also reported that Russia has sent large bodies of troops into Sinkiang Province.

SOVIET CONDITIONS STATED (Recd. October 20, 11.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, October 19 The Associated Press of America Shanghai correspondent says: The Japanese report that the Soviet has presented the ,Chinese Government at Chunking with a series of demands, including the right to station Russian troops in Chinese Turkestan, and to maintain Communist propaganda in North-West China. JAPANESE ACTIONS. RESENTED BY AMERICANS. TOKIO, October 19. In a surprisingly blunt address here, the American Ambassador, Mr. Grew, told an audience, including some Japanese notables, that American public opinion strongly resented some actions of’ the Japanese'forces in China. He said that the position must change before relations between Japan and America could be improved. Mr. Grew said that the Japanese entertained several fallacies, including one that Americans misunderstood the new order in Asia. He asserted that Americans could understand the new order as well as the Japanese. It appeared to deprive Americans .of long-established rights in China. American people were opposed to this. The Japanese would be wrong if they thought that they could convince Americans that present Japanese practices in China should be condoned. Mr. Grew said: “It is the belief of the American Government and people that many things injurious to the United States, which have been done and are being done by Japanese agencies, are wholly needless . . . . It. is probable that many of you are not aware of the increasing extent to which the people of the United States resent the methods which the Japanese armed forces are employing in China. 1. . . . The American people are profoundly shocked at the widespread use of bombing in China, not only on the grounds of humanity, but as a direct menace to American lives and property. . . . The American people feel that the present trend in the Far East, if continued, will be destructive of the hopes they sincerely cherish for the development of an orderly world.”

DIPLOMATS ASTONISHED. NEW YORK, October 19. The Associated Press of America’s Tokio correspondent says: Tokio officials and diplomats are astonished at Mr. Crew’s speech. They expressed the opinion that it had two possible meanings (1) The United States was preparing definite action to oppose further Japanese interference in China. (2) A strong indication that public opinion in Japan had turned sharply against the militarists. One official commented: “The ground in Japan must have been prepared in advance for such a powerful statement. Last year it would have done more harm than good. Therefore it would not have been made.” The “New York Times” Washington correspondent states: Mr. Hull said he assumed that Mr. Grew’s statements were within the range and scope of the representations and notes made to Japan in past months. This is interpreted as an endorsement of Mr. Grew’s action. AIR-RAID ON NANCHUAN. (Recd. Oct. 20, 10.30 a.m.). NEW YORK, October 19. The United Press Chungking correspondent stated: It is announced that 200 were killed and 500 wounded, the latter including Father Danion, a French Catholic priest, in a Japanese air-raid which destroyed two-thirds of Nanchuan, including Father Danion’s church. WOOL FROM AUSTRALIA. (Received October 20, 1.40 p.m.) TOKIO, October 19. The Consul-General for Japan in Australia, Mr. Akiyama, has informed Tokio that, as a result of his negotiations, Australia has agreed to Japan buying between 250,000 and 300,000 bales of wool during the current season.