Further Russian Attacks

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 183, 5 August 1938, Page 7

Further Russian Attacks

Japs Gann to Have Repulsed Them Received Thursday, 11.30 p.m. TOKIO, August 4. The War Office announces that the Japanese discerned Soviet forces moving up big guns and tanks to Changkufeng this morning. The War Office states that the Russians attempted during the night to dislodge the Japanese from the ChangkufengShaotsaoping sector. Star shells were sent up at 10.30 p.m. and the artillery laid a barrage. Then the Russians severely pressed the Japanese, 'who resisted powerfully and repelled the invaders. It is estimated that 200 Russians were killed in the earlier attacks yesterday. Both sides used tanks and got so close that they were able to distinguish each others’ features. The Japanese Cabinet rejected the Russian protests and urged the Soviet to re-consider its policy. A later Tokio message states that the Soviet overnight attackers consisted of three battalions of infantry with 35 tanks and 20 guns. The Soviet troops are from Novokievsk and are a sharp-shooter division plus a mechanised brigade. Soviet scout ’planes lengthily reconnoitred Kojo. The War Office spokesman threatens that the Japanese Air Force will reply effectively if the Soviet’s wanton air attacks are renewed. Mr. Horinouch, Deputy Foreign Minister, had a two hours’ discussion with the Russian Charge d "Affaires, and protested against the Soviet air raids and the unreasonableness of the Soviet policy. Mr. Shigemitsu, Japanese Ambassador in Moscow, was instructed to make similar representations to M. Lit vinoff, Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs, this afternoon. The Soviet artillery for four hours indiscriminately shelled Kojo and Sojan. The newspaper Nichi Niehi Shimbun says the Soviet bombings have completely altered the shape of the disputed hills. The Domci News Agency reports that the Fortieth Russian Division is on its way south from Novekievsk (Siberia), where 60 Russian aircraft and 200 tanks are concentrated. A Moscow message states that all the newspapers reproduce photographic copies of the Russian-Chinese agreement of ISB6, according to which Changkufeng is unquestionably Soviet territory.