RUSSIAN RAID

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 31 August 1929, Page 5

RUSSIAN RAID

ON CHINESE VILLAGES. GUNBOAT IN ACTION. HOPES FOR SETTLEMENT. I United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) —United Service). HONGKONG, Aug. 30. A Russian gunboat, carrying 200 marines, raided 'Chinese villages along the Amur River on Tuesday. An encounter followed wherein a Chinese corporal and five privates were killed and man civilians were wounded by stray bullets. News from Manchuli appears to indicate that there is little fear of a resumption of large scale warfare. The Chinese are evidently anxious to secure a peaceful settlement, although there is no indication of their willingness to comply with the Russian demands. SHANGHAI, Aug. 29.

It is tserni-officially reported at Nanking that owing to the efforts of the German Foreign Office, plus the firm and sincere stand taken by the 'Chinese Minister Chiang Tso Ping, Berlin confidently expected the present ,Sino-Eus-sian dispute would shortly be ended. It is believed that a compromise on the question of the appointment of a Soviet manager to the C. E. Railway would be effected with a week.

The Nanking Government’s reply fro the last 'Soviet Note, transmitted through Mr Chiang Tso Ping, reiterates China’s denial of ever resorting to provocative measures and demonstrations against the Soviet army; it also maintains that strict vigilance is kept on the activities of the White Russians in Manchuria in attempting to undermine S’oviet authority in Siberia. 'The Note concludes by demanding compensation for Chinese loss of life and property, the result of Soviet border raids.

RUSSIAN FORCE ON THE MOVE

ATTEMPT TO SEIZE MOUNTAIN PASSES.

Received 10.40 a.m. to-day. SHANGHAI, Aug. 30.

Despit© reports of a possible amicable settlement in the present Sino-Russian-dispute emanating from diplomatic circles in Peking, the attitude' of the Chinese and Soviet troops on the border is unchanged. An official communique states that a. force of 10,000 Russians has been despatched towards Khingan mountains in Western Manchuria for purposes of seizing the mountain passes.