TENSE SITUATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21468, 17 April 1933, Page 9

TENSE SITUATION

CHINESE RAILWAY SEIZURES BY RUSSIA ROLLING STOCK HELD ONLY PARTIAL RETURN MANCHUKUO AROUSED By Telegraph—Presa Association—Copyright (Received April 10, 5.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, April 15 Following upon Moscow's consent to return the rolling stock of the Chinese Eastern Railway which she seized, except the locomotives, the Manchukuo Government will present a Note demanding tho ■ unconditional return of all tho engines belonging to that railway. It is believed that if the Soviet calls a strike in the railway or " hedges " in any way, tho Manchukuo Government will proceed to seize the whole of the lino in which Russia has a half share. A cablegram from London on April 12 stated: Tho newspapers are directing attention to the danger of a new crisis in tho Far East. Tho Japanese Government is said to be preparing to seize tho 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 tho Soviet's action would seem to furnish Japan and Manchukuo with a plausible argument for assuming full control of the Chinese 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. •' Tho Soviet," says tho paper, " claims that the stock originally belonged to tho Kerenskv _ Government. If so, why was the claim not made earlier? " The editor alleges that the Soviet is openly lying and demands that it should apologise. Without raising the question of ownership, he says he believes the Soviet, having predetermined upon war, is hurriedly increasing the transport facilities of the Siberian railways, which at present aro absolutely ruined. BRITISH MUNITIONS EXPORTS TO FAR EAST STATEMENT IN COMMONS (Received April 16, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. April 15 In the House of Commons Major D. J. Colville, Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, said the war material exported from Britain to China in February and March included armament, fittings and equipment for two aircraft, and 12,000,000 rifle cartridges. The exports to Japan included one aircraft gun mounting and 300 machineguns.