THREAT TO PEACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21466, 13 April 1933, Page 11

THREAT TO PEACE

FAR EASTERN ARENA RUSSIA AND RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK SEIZED JAPAN MAY RETALIATE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April 12, 8.55 p.m.) LONDON, April 12 The newspapers aro directing attention to the danger of new crisis in the Far East. The Japanese Government is said to be preparing to seize the Russian-controlled Chinese Eastern Railway on the ground of the Soviet's alleged withdrawal of 50 per cent of the railway stock from Manchuria to Russian territory. The Daily Telegraph's diplomatic ! correspondent says the Soviet's action would seem to furnish Japan and Mani chttkuo with a plausible argument for assuming full control of the Chinese I Eastern Railway. This might lead ultimately to the Japanese occupation of Vladivostok. A message from Shanghai states that the Harbin Times, a Japanese-owned newspaper, argues to-day that the Soviet obviously is preparing for war. It says that over 50 per cent of the rolling stock of the Chinese Eastern Railway has been evacuated into Russia and this is equivalent to systematic stealing. "The Soviet'," says the paper, " claims that the stock originally belonged to the Kerensky Government. If so, why was the claim not made earlier?" The editor alleges that tho Soviet is openly lying and demands that it should apologise. Without raising tho question of ownership, ho says ho believes the Soviet, having predetermined upon war, is hurriedly increasing the transport facilities of the Siberian railways, which at present aro absolutely ruined. JAPAN AND CHINA "PATIENCE EXHAUSTED" SOUTHWARD ADVANCE BEGUN (Received April 12. 5.5 p.m.) KOBE. April 11 An official statement issued to-day declares that Japan's patience is exhausted and, because the Chinese, mistaking restraint for weakness, still persist in attacking the Japanese positions, a general advance south of the Great Wall has been launched. Owing to tho vast superiority of the Japanese in arms, their advance is rapid. The Chinese aro leaving equipment and corpses and fleeing. Unless an agreement is reached for a neutral zone, a halt by the Japanese now will be most difficult.