SOVIET FORCES

Grey River Argus, 9 April 1927, Page 5

SOVIET FORCES

IN FAR EAST. Is Chang Tso Lin Scared. RAID ON SOVIET EMBASSY. AMERICANS MAY PROTEST. WASHINGTON, April ’. Unofficial but authoritative reports here to-day stated that the Foreign Diplomatic C’orps in Pekin are expected to protest to the local authorities against the unauthorised invasion of the Russian Legation guard and-com-pound. in connection with the authorised Chinese raid on an adjoining private Russian property. The State Department announced that the Senior Minister on behalf of the diplomatic quarter authorised the Chinese authorities to search on April 6, the property of the Russian Daiil Dank and the Russian Eastern Chinese Railway, but gave no authorisation for a raid on the adjacent compound, after which the Chinese went beyond the authorisation and raided the compound.

SOVIET TROOPS.

ON CHINESE FRONTIER. THREAT TO CHANG TSO LIN. (Received April 8 at 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 7. Soviet despatches received in London report the massing of at least three Russian battalions on the borders of Manchuria and Mongolia. Some believe that this is connected with the strained relations between China and the Soviet, but official circles deprecate any alarm ist interpretations. Official circles-particularly deprecate thd idea that this may portend a ChinoSoviet war. It is pointed out that Russia is unlikely to forget that a declaration of war would only recoil on herself, because it would frustrate the Soviet’s present methods of conducting a world wide Communist campaign. For example, Britain would be enabled to intern or deport every Russian I intriguer and agitator, and, presumably, every British dominion would take similar action. Well-informed sources regard the presence of the Russian troops on the frontier as being rather a threat, with the view of preventing Chang Tso Lin I proceeding further south against the Cantonese troops.

Russian War Supplies. CROSSING SIBERIA. I (Received April Bat 10.55 p.m.) The Soviet is despatching General Lebeder to command the Russian troop on the Manchurian frontier. The Trans Siberian Railway is now choked with war supplies. in nortlFchina. britisiPforces. LONDON, April 7. In the Commons, asked by Commander Kenworthy whether he was satisfied with the forces available in Tientsin and Pekin, Sir L. Worthington Evans replied that the Government was closely watching the situation, but he was unable to make a statement on the subject. The fresh brigade recently ordbrfed to China was at present under orders to go to Hong Kong. Mr Locker Lampson said that he had no precise information as to the num bers of Britishers in Pekin.

Japs Fire on Chinese. STREET BATTLES IN NANKING. SNIPERS DODGE JAPS. SHANGHAI, April 8. Simultaneously with the departure 01 Governor Chaing Kai Shek from Nan king, the guerilla forces here agair became active. They sniped and wounded a Japanese marine. Immediately after this a largo tom of Japanese marines took possession of the streets, they having orders to shoot anything seen moving. As sporadic sniping was continued, the Japanese commander ordered the narines to advance. Before the advance the Japanese swept the streets with Lewis guns. The guerillas rallied, and a short pitched battle followed. Then the attackers escaped in a maze of alleyways. Early next morning a second street battle occurred, but the Japanese mar ines drove off the attackers, who were Cantonese soldiers. GENERAL EVACUATION. OF RIVER TOWNS. SHANGHAI, April 7. - In accordance with the decision com pletely to evacuate the upriver areas. British gunboats, Consuls and communities were brought to Hankow from Chungking, Ichiang, Changsha, and Chenglin. At Shanghai, the curfew to-night was eased by one hour to the eleven o’clock limit. BRITISH EVACUATIONS. WARSHIPS AT HANKOW. LONDON, April 7. Following the carrying out of the d< cision to evacuate all Britishers in upriver areas, all the British warships above Hankow have now returned thither.

HANKOW SITUATION. . SHANGHAI, April 7. ■ The latest wireless from Hankow indicates that the Japanese afe determinedly defending the Concession on which Chinese troops are not permitted to trespass. There is already a landing party of three hundred ashore. This will be doubled on the arrival of the cruiser Tenryu. The general situation is reported pteadily to be worse. Lawlessness is

on the increase, and Hankow is being gradually emptied of all foreign residents. Russians and Germans are now hurriedly joining the general exodu.s. A general atmosphere of uneasiness prevails in the native districts. POWERS’ NOTES. NOT YET PRESENTED TO CANTONESE. LONDON, April 7. The Foreign Office is still without official news of the raid on Russian buildings in Pekin. A special Cabinet meeting was held I to-day to consider the latest reports J on the Chinese situation.

Though the Powers’ identical notes,' re Nanking, are still not presented to the Cantonese, authoritative circles insist that delay does not imply any hitch in the negotiations between London. Tokio and Washington. Britain’s final instructions were sent to Sir M. Lampson on Monday, but time is necessary to allow the Governments of the United States and Japan to reach a decision, and cable the same to Pekin. Italy has already agreed to the main principles of the Note. France is confidently expected to join in the international protest.