POWDER MAGZAINE OF FAR EAST

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6837, 19 April 1932, Page 7

POWDER MAGZAINE OF FAR EAST

Russia Suspects Japan Of Provocative Action “SOVIET WILL NOT BEGIN A WAR” United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright. LONDON Anril 17. The Times’ Riga correspondent says that the Soviet Press professes _ great uneasiness at events in. Manchuria, especially over reports from Habarovsk in connection with the discovery of an attempt to blow up a railway bridge over the Sungari River, which Izvcstia Interprets a s part of deliberate Japanese plans to make more acute relations which arc already strained, as a preliminary to exploding the Far Eastern npowder magazine and involving the Soviet in military conflict. The paper alleges that Japan has already begun to send more troops to Manchuria, and adds: “The Soviet will not begin a war, but will leave the enemy to take the initiative and entire responsibility.”

Alarmist Reports Discredited, But— HOW THE JAPS PUT IT. Eeceived Monday, 10.30 p.m. TOKYO, April 18. Officials discredit the alarmist reports mainly originating in Moscow foretelling of trouble with Japan, but military dispatches indicate warlike preparations by tne Soviet which is massing nine divisions on the Manchurian frontier. The Tokyo Government is not alarmed, but is carefully avoidingactions liable to be taken for provocative. Eegardiug the reported despatch of warships to Kamchatka, Japan is sending only the destroyers necessary for the protection of the fisheries as has been usual in previous years.