RUSSIAN POLICY

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 December 1940, Page 8

RUSSIAN POLICY

FRICTION WITH JAPAN.

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, December 27.

Evidence of friction between Russia and Japan is given by publicity organs in the two countries. The Japanese newspaper “Nichi” complains that although the new Japanese Ambassador to Moscow (Lieu-tenant-General Tatekawa) has tried hard, he is unable to improve Japanese relation with the Soviet.

Simultaneously, the Moscow radio states that an anti-war feeling is spreading among the Japanese troops in China. It is reported that troops in the employ of the Wang Ching-wei regime have deserted to Chiang Kaishek and also that recent assassinations of Japanese officers at Shanghai were the work of anti-war Japanese. '

A long article on Japanese conditions, printed in the Moscow newspapers, describes the instability of the new regime and the growing domestic and foreign difficulties, the worsening economic and food situation and mounting discontent over the Chinese war. Article I in the series has had widespread publication, causing alarm among the Japanese.

RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN.

LONDON, December 28

Negotiations seeking to improve British->Soviet relations were started when the Foreign Secretary (Mr. R. A. Eden) conferred with the Soviet Ambassador (M. Maisky), at the Foreign Office. It is reported that they exchanged mutual assurances and a desire to improve relations.