FURTHER MENACE

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1933, Page 5

FURTHER MENACE

RUSSIA AND JAPAN

ADDITIONAL EASTERN TENSION

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LONDON, March 12

The newspapers are directing attention to the danger of a new crisis in the Far East, The Japanese Government is said to be now preparing to seize the Russian-controlled Chinese eastern railway, on the grounds of the Soviet’s alleged withdrawal of 50 per cent, of the railway stock from Manchuria to Russian territory.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says: The Soviet’ action seems to furnish Japan and Manehukuo with a plausible argument) for assuming full control of the Chinese eastern railway. This might lead ultimately to the Japanese occupation of Vladivostock.

IS SOVIET PREPARING FOR WAR.

ROLLING STOCK SEIZED.

SHANGHAI, April 12

The “Harbin Times,” a Japaneseowned paper, editorially argues to-day that the Soviet is obviously preparing for war. It states that ovov 50 per cent, of the Chinese eastern railway rolling stock has been ovacuated into Russia, thus being equivalent to systematic stealing.

The Soviet claims that the railway stock originally belonged to the Kerensky Russian Government. If so. the Harbin Times asks, why was the claim to it not made earlier? The editor alleges that the Soviet is openly lying. He demands that the U.S.S.R. should apologise without raising the question of the ownership. He says he believes that the Soviet, having predetermined to make war, is hurriedly increasing the transport facilities of the Siberian railways, which at present are absolutely ruined.

SINO-JAPANESE SKIRMISHING

(Received April 13 at 9.11 a.m.) ' TOKYO, April 12.

Despatches indicate' that the joint Japanese-Manchukuo drive was necessitated by continual attacks on the Japanese positions. Chinese troops, menacing the Great Wall, were dispersed westward over the Lanmo river.