Japan Proposes Terms to the Soviet

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 184, 6 August 1938, Page 5

Japan Proposes Terms to the Soviet

Commission to Fix Frontier

Withdrawal By Both Sides From Disputed Area

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

TOKIO, August 4.

The Foreign Office announces that Japan has proposed a cessation of hostilities to the Soviet. At Moscow, the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Shigemitsu, presented to the Soviet Foreign Minister, M. Litvinoff, the Japanese peace terms, as follow: “Japan will withdraw from disputed Changkufeng. The Soviet is not to re-occupy the area. A neutral zone would thus be formed and would remain till the frontier was demarcated by a commission.’’ The terms are considered to represent a compromise without loss of prestige to either side.

Moscow Refuses to Accept Tokio’s Terms

MOSCOW, August 4. M. Litvinoff refused to accept the peace terms, declining to negotiate whfle the Japanese remain in Russian territory. During a two-hour conference, which was without result, with M. Shigemitsu ho insisted on the withdrawal of the Japanese across the frontier line shown on the map attached to the treaty of 1886. Mr. Shigemitsu refused to accept the map on the grounds that it had previously not been published and that the only copy in existence was held by the Soviet. A Tokio War Office communique states that the situation has not changed. The Russians are occasionally firing guns at the Japanese.

Japan Told She Must Respect Borders

Received Friday, 8.5 p.m. MOSCOW, August 5,

An official communique announcing Russia’s rejection of the Japanese peace terms, says that M. Litvinov told Mr. Shigemitsu that the Japanese Government must respect the Soviet borders on the basis of the 1886 map. If Japan did not have a copy, the Soviet would provide one, but there could be no question regarding the frontiers being thoroughly established.

M. Litvinov emphasised that the Japanese occupation of Manchukuo did not give her the right to demand frontier changes. Japanese action, he insisted, had provoked the present crisis.

The communique added that, if Japan did not desire war, she must renounce her claims to the disputed area and accept the previous boundary demarcation and withdraw all troops from the territory in question. The Soviet would never tolerate the presence of foreign troops on any part of its soil. So long as the Japanese soldiers remained, the Soviet would reserve freedom of action.

Mr. Shigemitsu promised to refer the Soviet viewpoint to Tokio.

Soviet Bombard Again

Japs Protest Again RIVER TRAFFIC SUSPENDED Received Saturday, 12.24 a.m. TOKIO, August 5. The Soviet troops at 4.30 renewed a heavy bombardment of Japanese positions at Changkufeng, the Japanese making a vigorous reply. Japan is sternly re-protesting to Moscow. Freight passenger traffic is suspended on the Sungar river north of the disputed area.

JAPANESE CENSURED LONDON TIMES’ COMMENT LONDON, Aug. 4. The Times, in a leader, says: <4 A study of the events leading up to Changkufeng incidents suggests that the Japanese took the initiative in launching a serious offensive. A major conflagration on Russia’s eastern frontiers, the exclusion of the possibility of which is premature, might have ugly repercussions in Europe, but it is conceivable although, having regard to to their mentality, unlikely that the Japanese militarists will emerge slightly ehastened.”