RUSSIA AND CHINA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16946, 30 January 1926, Page 7

RUSSIA AND CHINA.

* ,SOVIET ACCUSATIONS. ‘•RESOLUTE MEASURES NECESSARY.” lEleo. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) ilteiucr'6 Telegram., (Received January 3, 11 a.m.) PEKIN, Jan. 29. Telegraphing to M. Karaklian, the Soviet Consul-'General at Harbin says that General Changhuanhsiang, commandant of thoi railway zone, lias established a reign of terror towards the Soviet citizens, obviously desiring to bieak up the Mukden negotiations.' Seventy youths, between twelve and twenty years of age, have been arrested and detained) ‘Under awful conditions, undergoing tortures which were resorted to in a more severe form during the iast few days. Insults and arrogance towards Soviets continue. The Consul concludes: “Resolute measures are necessary to counteract the Chinese attitude.” . RULED BY FORCE. SOVIET TRINITY. TO'KIO, Jan. 14. Mr Chikaharu Kawakami, Government adviser to the Japanese delegation in the Saghalien negotiations, who has returned from Moscow, states that the Soviet is firmly seated, as there is no party to oppose the Communists, the army, and the Cheka, which three rule the country by force. Though he found conditions in the chief towns much improved since his visit three years ago, Mr Kawakami says the people generally are underfed.

The main obstacle to complete restoration is due, he thinks, to the economic policy which makes individual trade impossible, and frightens off foreign business men. Discussing , Russo-Japanese relations, Mr Kawakami stated that signs of an improvement are visible, though a mutual lack of knowledge tends to hinder advancement. The Russians feel convinced llial Japan’s action in despatching troops to Manchuria, last month was for the purpose of helping Marshal Chang Tso-lin. With regard' to the 'Saghalien negotiations, though Mr Kawakami would not definitely commit himself, it is understood that the Japanese Government for political reasons, induced the delegates to sign the agreement against their will, as the delegates considered that Russia’s terms render the underinking impractical commercially., It is understood! that the Japanese Government regards the Saghalien negotiations as of minor importance—a step-ping-stone to closer trade relations generally.