JAPAN AND SOVIET

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 November 1939, Page 8

JAPAN AND SOVIET

FRONTIER DEMARCATION [BY GABLE —PRESS ASSN. —qOPYRIGHT.] MOSCOW, November 20. Japan and the Soviet have concluded an agreement for the defining of borders as between Manchukuo and Riissian territory. The Commission to do the work will start without delay. The Soviet and Japan in their negotiations regarding trade, have established principles on which to continue negotiations. SOVIET EAGERNESS (Recd. Nov. 2.1, 1 p.m.) NEW YORK, November 20. Fn a report to the “New York Times” from Moscow, Mr. Gedye says: The uhnsual prominence give.il to the intrinsically unimportant. Russian and Japanese developments shows the Soviet’s eagerness for a general RussianJapanese political settlement. Japanese circles are definite that the Soviet has not suggested a non-aggres-sion pact, and that other political considerations are behind all the recent talks, the Japanese belief is that the Soviiet cannot afford to abandon the Chinese, which is an obstacle to a gem eral settlement. Mr. Gedye adds that, while it would be helpful to both parties, to regularise their commercial relations, it is unlikely that important exchanges of goods will result.

INVASION OF SOUTH CHINA LONDON, November 20. The Japanese invasion of South China has reached to within 25 miles of Manting, and 31 miles of cutting off the Chinese life-line road to the south. KUOMINTANG SESSION KAI-SHEK ELECTED PREMIER | (Received November 21, 2.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, November 20. The Chungking correspondent of the United Press of America states that the Kuomintang’s sixth plenary session elected Marshal Chiang Kai-Shek as Premier, in succession to Mr. H. H. Kung, who was elected vice-presi-dent of the Executive, and who retains the portfolio of Minister of Finance.

A manifesto stated that the session’s most important decisions were: (1) To convene a National People’s Assembly within a year; (2) to expedite the reconstruction of municipal governments; (3) to continue resistance to Japan. The manifesto expresses gratitude for the assistance of foreign Powers, and urges a world organisation of collective security after the war. Politicians say that Kai-Shek’s assumption of the Premiership is designed to enable effective co-ordination.

It is understood that Mr. T. V. Soong will remain at Chungking, henceforth devoting his attention exclusively to monetary affairs. Mr. Yeh Chu Chang has been appointed secretary of the Kuomintang, and General Wu Teh Chen, ex-Mayor of Shanghai, bps 'been appointed; Chief of Foreign Affairs. U.S. TRADE IN CHINA INTERFERENCE RESENTED. (Received November 21, 12.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 20. Mr. Sumner Welles said that he views seriously the continued interference by the Japanese military authorities with American trade and nationals. “Official reports,”- he added, “show that interference is increasing, despite warnings. The United States considers that her citizens have every right to. trade in China without interference.” STEADILY IMPROVING. ANGLO-JAPANESE RELATIONS. (Recd. November 21, 2.25 p.m.) VICTORIA (8.C.), November 20. Major-General Piggott, who was Military Attache at the British Embassy at Tokio from 1921 to 1928, said he had every reason to believe that the Tientsin dispute would be successfully concluded, as Anglo-Japanese relations were steadily improving.