RUSSIANS MOBILISING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20987, 25 September 1931, Page 9

RUSSIANS MOBILISING.

SUSPICION AROUSED. ALLEGED PLOT WITH JAPAN. THE ADVANCE ON HARBIN. By Telogrn j>h— Press Association Copy right. SHANGHAI. Kepi. 2.1. 'llie ropoi 1 that Russian troops are bemg mobilised on the. border ot Manchuria has strengthened the belief held by many Chinese at. Harbin flint a secret understanding exists between Japan and the Soviet- for a division of the spoils in that, country. A tpleurarn from Nanking savs the Chinese Foreign Office this afternoon despatched a third Note, of protest to Japan reiterating the previous demands for the immediate withdrawal of Japanese troops and a restoration of the seized territories. The Note said that since the delivery of the previous Notes the military movements of the Japanese have extended, increasing the danger to peace in the tar East. The Foreign Oflice has received a telegram from the Council of the League of Nations, and the news that the League's machinery is functioning has had a calming effect in the capital. The Japanese advance on Harbin is reported to be proceeding in spite of Tokio's denials. The British, French, American, German and other Consuls at Harbin held an urgent conference, and decided to ascertain Japan's intentions so that they can protect foreigners in the event of an emergency arising. It is rumoured that Atamen Senenoff, a notorious Whito Russian leader, has arrived at Mukden incognito. Chinese troops at Harbin swarmed inwards ahead of the advancing Japanese and are preparing to quit the city fearing a Japanese occupation. The President, Marshal Chiang Kaishek, has received a telegram from the Russian Consul at Harbin and called the attention of the Japanese Consul to the fact that Japanese military movements are interfering with the operations of the Chinese Eastern Railway. JAPANESE FORCES. INDEPENDENT ACTION. TOKIO CABINET'S ATTITUDE. SHANGHAI, Sept. 23. A message from Tokio states that the Japanese military authorities maintain that they are well within their treaty rights and that the sudden emergency justified their action in Manchuria. From the beginning the operations apparently were carried out independently of the Tokio Government. To-day the Cabinet granted funds to support the army in Manchuria, where, failing China's complete surrender, it will stay indefinitely. The Chinese Minister to Japan at Tokio had a conference with Baron Shidehara, Japanese Foreign Minister, who blamed tho War Ministry for the events in Manchuria. The Chinese Minister confirms tho news that there is a division of opinion in the Japanese Cabinet. Tho Nanking Government has been advised that Japan is considering the communication fiom the League of Nations. Japan expects to intimate her readiness to withdraw her troops to the railway zone, where they are entitled to remain, but first it will be necessary to secure a guarantee from China regarding tho safety of Japanese nationals and property.