CHINA'S TURN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23482, 20 October 1939, Page 9

CHINA'S TURN

SOVIET MISSION ALLIANCE LIKELY RUSSIAN TROOPS SENT JAPANESE ANXIETY (Received October 19. 7 p.m.) NEW YORK. Oct. IS A large Soviet military mission has arrived in Chungking from Moscow, states the Shanghai correspondent of the New York Times, Mr. Hallett Abend. This information, the correspondent adds, has been received from circles which are usually reliable. The mission travelled from Moscow in five aeroplanes. It consists of two generals and many expert advisers on air force, tank, artillery and infantry questions. The report is causing consternation in Japanese circles in Shanghai. Rumours are circulating. in connection with the Russian delegation that China and Russia may shortly sign a military alliance, states the Shanghai correspondent of the British United Press. The Chinese are reported to have said that the Russians will be styled "advisers to China" for the present, but actually they will be discussing with the Chinese leader, Marshal Chiang Kaishek, far-reaching agreements. Nationalist representatives in Shanghai state that Britain and France refused further aid to China owing to the war and that the United States had not offered effective assistance. Thus China had no choice but to turn to Russia. Russia, it is also reported, has sent large bodies of troops into Sinkiang. The Chinese report that troops operating in Northern Kiangsi have scored important victories over the Japanese forces, states a message from Chunking. Chinese forces have reached the outskirts of the strategically important town of Fenghsin, after cutting the Japanese communications with Fenghsin and Cliingan.

CONTRABAND GOODS

FURTHER 23,000 TONS HELD British Wireless LONDON, Oct. 18 The British contraband control during the week ended October 14 intercepted and detained 23,000 tons of goods destined for Germany. The goods .included: —5900 tons of copra, 2000 tons of phosphates, ISOO tons of coffee, .1800 tons of lead and lead concentrates, 1150 tons of steel scrap, 1000 tons of manganese ore, 1200 tons of miscellaneous ores and metals, 1000 tons of rubber, 1000 tons of palm oil, 1000 tons of soya beans oil, 1000 tons of otlier oils and l'ats, 1000 tons of cereals and .'350 tons of cotton. Various quantities of wool, silk fibres, chemicals, tanning materials, hides, skins, foodstuffs, oil seeds, timber. gums and resins were also detained. This brings the total of goods detained for the first six weeks of the war to 338.000 tons. WAR RISKS REDUCED (Received October 19, 5.5 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, Oct. IS War risk insurance rates respecting goods destined for Britain from French Channel ports, and carried in Danish or certain other neutral ships, have been reduced from 7$ to 3 per cent.