SOVIET MOVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23092, 18 July 1938, Page 9

SOVIET MOVE

MANCHUKUO BAY PORT DOMINATED BUILDING DEFENCES WARNING FROM TOKIO WITHDRAWAL DEMAND By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 17, 5.5. p.m.) TOKIO, July 16 The Russian troops at Possiet Bay are building defences dominating the Japanese port of Raskin at the terminus of the railway in the heart of Manchtikuo, says the Domei news agency. The Japanese have despatched a Note warning the Soviet of possible complications if the troops are not withdrawn.

It ;vas stated in a cablegram published on Saturday that the Japanese Foreign Office had protested to the Soviet at the action of a detachment of Russian troops in occupying a hill of military importance in Manehukuo near Possiet Bay. Japan had hinted that in the event of the non-with-drawal of the troops her Kwantung Army might be forced to dislodge them.

REPLY TO AMERICA PROTECTION OF SUBJECTS NO GUARANTEE BY JAPAN CONDITIONS IN CHINESE CITIES (Received July 1", 0.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON. July 16 Jn reply to the United States' protest on May 31 to Tokio against the interference with American nationals in China by Japanese soldiery, Japan has sent a Note to the State Department saying that its armed forces are unable to maintain order in Chinese cities and cannot guarantee police protection for the nationals of other countries, even in such largo cities as Shanghai and Nanking. " Concerning the present conditions in the places in question," says the Note, " Japan is still continuing military operations in self-defence." It is added that the policy is gradually to relax military restrictions so as to permit Americans to return as conditions allow. JAPANESE CLAIM SUCCESS TOKIO. July 15 The Japanese claim to have broken the resistance of the guerilla forces in Southern Shansi, and to have dispersed and killed 200,000 Chinese.