INNER MONGOLIAN RULE

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 19 October 1933, Page 5

INNER MONGOLIAN RULE

MOVEMENT FOR SECESSION ULTIMATUM TO NANKING. KEY TO FAR EAST SITUATION. DEMAND TO BE CONSIDERED. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) SHANGHAI, Oct. IS. Threatening immediate secession unless the Chinese Central Government grants s.elf-government, the leading inner Mongalian rulers suddenly loom large in the present Far-Eastern crisis. Occupying the important strategic position of an effective buffer State between Russia, Manchukuo and China, these disgruntled chieftains, including several royal descendants of the ancient Khans, control 160,(XX) square miles of mineraily wealthy territory which is virtually the key to the position in the event of an outbreak of hostilities between Russia and Japan. While expressing the desire to remain under Chinese jurisdiction, the chieftains declare their readiness to seek the assistance of neighbours and should Nanking ignore their demands for an autonomous inner Mongolia. The decison .was reached at a conference; of secessionists which has just concluded in the isolated temple >f Batahalak and which was art mlrd by 70 delegates representing every subsidiary State of inner Mongolia. For the first occasion a completely united front was offered bv these nomadic tribes. Prince, Tehwank. the chairman, supported by several othfer princes at the conference, claimed that the inhabitants were subjected to territorial infringements, harsh taxation and heavy duties on goods exported to China. It is obvious that a further extension of Japanese influence over inner Mongolia, or the latter’s alliance with Manehukuo would be a serious blow to Soviet interests, cutting the Soviet’s important auxiliary route to the Pacific through UrgaJ Kalgan. The Chinese Government has announced that China is prepared to grant inner Mongoia self-government when she is satisfied with the bona fides of the movement.