Moscow, Tokio Order Border Fighting to Cease NO SIGN OF NONAGGRESSION PACT

Northern Advocate, 18 September 1939, Page 5

Moscow, Tokio Order Border Fighting to Cease NO SIGN OF NONAGGRESSION PACT

LONDON. September 1(1. RUSSIA AND JAPAN HAVE GIVEN THE ORDER TO STOP FIRE IN THEIR UNDECLARED WAR ON THE MONGOLIAN-MANCHUKUAN BORDERS. The Japanese Foreign Office lias confirmed the report of flint ee between the two countries. Japanese quarters in Shanghai slate that hostilities have ceased. The Moscow report of the truce with Japan says it was on tke following terms—(l) The Japanese Manclrnkuan and Soviet-Mongolian troops should cease hostilities at 2 a.m. yesterday (10.80 a.m. New Zealand time, Saturday). (2) The combatants should remain on the line occupied at 1 p.m. on Friday (9.30 p.m. New Zealand time). (3) The representatives of both sides should carry out the above agreements instantly. (4) Prisoners and bodies should be exchanged forthwith. It was further agreed that a commission consisting of two delegates from each side should be organised at the earliest moment to establish the precise frontier in the disputed area. It was subsequently reported that the commission was being appointed and would, meet soon. The dispute relates to scores of points on the border. According to the Moscow correspondent of the “New York Times,” Japanese circles in Russia says that the question of a non-aggression pact between the Soviet and Japan is one of the most distant future. They point out that the- present agreement does not affect issues like the Sakhalin dispute and Russian support of the Chinese Communists. They also assert that the majority of the commanders of the Chinese forces are Russian and that Communist propaganda among the Chinese is even more dangerous. They profess scepticism about a settlement of these questions, especially the latter, which would be essential for a non-aggression pact.