DISTURBING REPORTS

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 15 August 1929, Page 5

DISTURBING REPORTS

SOVIET MASSING TROOPS.

ON MONGOLIAN BORDER. WAR BELIEVED I PROBABLE (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) —United Service). HONGKONG, Aug. 14. Chinese reports arriving here this morning state there are alarming movements of Russian troops in the River Amur districts, where the Soviet is massing its armies. The extent of mobilisation is indicated by the fact that all railway traffic near 1 the Amur has been suspended. Eoir a whole week coaches have been used to convey troops. Meanwhile, it is stated, encounters between Chinese andi Russian troops on the border are causing alarm. Merchants are suspending business at Manchuli and leaving the city hurriedlLy. Local reports believe war is probable.

MILITARY STRENGTH

RUSSIA AND CHINA. The military system, yf Soviet Russia was reorganised, iu fy2s. The lied Army is now organised on a basis ol universal military service, and the number or men available tor military service' each year is approximately - J,OUl),000. in 1623 the approximate personnel of the army and navy, including subordinate- anti political otliciais, was 562,000 men. The Red) Army is organised as follows : Infantry, consisting of 21 riiie corps, 27 rifle divisions, 43 territorial divisions, and 210 regiments, or 630 in all; cavany, consisting of 13 cavalry divisions, 66 regiments; artillery, consisting of 21 regiments and! 70 light artillery regiments; engineers, consisting of 26 battalions. The Chinese military strength in Manchuria in October, 1628, comprised, 232,000 troops. Tnere Avere thirteen armies, the average numbers in each being approximately 18,0u0. The total military forces of China at that time Aver© 1,481,500 troops. Although efforts to establish a military flying force in China hav-e met Avith failure, it is estimated tnat there are about 200 serviceable aeroplanes in the country. HoweA'er, the Chinese straw no inclination for aerial combat or the use of armed ’planes against land forces. General Semenoff, head of . the “White”. Russian organisations in the Far East, Avith Aviiom Chinese military authorities in the three eastern proA*inoes are reported to haA'e reached an understanding, has been associated AA'lth Oiiinese military leaders, chiefly in Shantung and in Mancnuria, for a number of years. The most recent report of General Seimenoff’s activities was contained in a cable message from Shanghai, dated February 22 last, etat- , ing that Marshall Cnang Chung-chaug, 1 in Shantung, was still supported, by Semenoff and Nacheff, the “white” Russian leaders of former Shantung armies. General Semenoff organised the Siberian Cossack anti-Bolshevik movement early in 1918. A few' months later he o ivas appointed dictator of the union to regenerate Russia. He Avas appointed Grand Duke of Mongolia, Avhen that country proclaimed) its independence. He has been recognised as one of Bolshevik Russia’s most dangerous, opponents'.