FAR EAST TENSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22344, 15 February 1936, Page 13

FAR EAST TENSION

GRAVITY OF SITUATION FRONTIER HOSTILITIES JAPANESE AND RUSSIANS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 14, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 14 A message from Harbin, Manehukuo, says it is reported from Hailar that two Russian aeroplanes bombed Japanese and Manchukuo troops on the Mongolian frontier. The spokesman of the Manchukuo Foreign Office described the bombing as tantamount to an act of war without a formal declaration. He said his Government took the most serious view of the affair and would take the most suitable and effective counter measures. The alleged bombing, it is stated, occurred during a sharp encounter between Mongols and _ Japanese and Manchukuo troops. The fighting lasted nine hours before the Mongols were forced to retreat. Japanese aeroplanes are reported to be standing by at Tsitsihar, but according to a message from Tokio the belief persists that neither the Russians nor the Japanese wish to precipitate hostilities at present. The Sun-Herald news service says a sorious frontier action between Japanese and Russians resulted in six men being killed. An official communique from Tokio states that bombs, machineguns and field guns were employed, and two Soviet war aeroplanes bombed Japanese soldiers. The battle, it is stated, occurred at Olohodoka, on the Outer MongoliaManchukuo frontier, where incidents have recently increased the tension. According to the statement Japanese and Manchukuo troops, while demarcating the frontier near Lako Buirnor encountered 200 Mongols. The Japanese party drove the Mongols off and occupied Olohodoka, capturing a field gun, a machine-gun and eight Mongols. A Japanese lieutenant and five Japanese soldiers were killed.