FRONTIER STRIFE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19698, 2 August 1938, Page 5

FRONTIER STRIFE

CLASH OF TROOPS

JAPANESE AND RUSSIAN

MORE RECRIMINATIONS

SHELLING OF TOWNS

PREMEDITATION ALLEGED

<Eloc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Abbu., (Reed. Aug. 2, 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 1.

According to a message from Shanghai the Moscow version of the clash reported yesterday to have occurred near Changkufeng is that the fighting began when Japanese artillery opened fire without warning and troops attacked the Soviet guards.

It is asserted that the Japanese occupied Soviet territory "to a depth of 2), miles" in the hills to the west of Lake Hassan.

A Moscow message states that the Soviet War Commissar declared today he had no knowledge of a Manchukuoan clash between Soviet and Japanese units, yet the official news agency announces that the Japanese suffered heavy losses in men and material.

Korean headquarters to-day reported to Tokio that the Soviet troops had been withdrawn from the Changkufeng area with the exception of a few garrison companies. All was quiet to-day.

Accuracy of Fire

A report from Tokio quotes a statement made to-day by the Japanese Foreign Office spokesman that the bombardment yesterday of the towns of Kajo and Sajan by Russians concentrated on the northern border of Korea was premeditated and proof was provided by the accuracy of the Russian fire, which was kept up till last night. The Japanese withheld their attack until the Russians embarked on aggression.

"If the attack is repeated the Russians can expect more severe treatment," added the Japanese spokesman.

The Japanese War Office subsequently stated that the Soviet forces had lost 30 additional men killed last night in counter attacks. It is claimed by the Japanese that 11 Soviet tanks and two large guiis were captured.

Prince Kanin, chief of the Japanese general staff, hurriedly returned to Tokio from a holiday.

Serious View in Tokio

The seriousness of the view taken in Tokio concerning the situation is indicated by the fact that newspapers have been forbidden to publish facts or comments apart from Official communiques.

The Tokio correspondent of The Times says that official communiques indicate the severity of the Changkufeng operations on Saturday and Sunday, the Soviet losses being estimated at 270 men.

The Domei News Agency states that Russian warplanes twice bombed and machine-gunned Japanese positions at Changkufeng. Headquarters of the Japanese Kwantung army in North China report the shooting down of four raiding Russian aeroplanes on the Changkufeng border and add that 800 motorised Russian infantry bombed and machine-gunned Japanese positions at Changkufeng. It is also stated that motorised Russion infantry is being concentrated at Suetashi and artillery is arriving at Karanchin.

FLIGHT FROM NANCHANG

APPALLING HARDSHIPS

EXPOSURE AND DISEASE

(Reed. Aug. 2, 10 a.m.) HANKOW, Aug. 1

It is believed that the Japanese advance southwards from Kiukiang is aimed at Nanchang to facilitate the cutting of the Hankow-Canton railway.

Nanchang already is virtually deserted. The fleeing inhabitants are experiencing appalling hardships and are perishing of starvation, exposure and disease.'

BRITONS ILLTREATED

WOMAN AND CONSTABLE

PROTEST TO JAPANESE

(Reed. Aug. 2, 10 a.m.) SHANGHAI, Aug. 1

The British Consul at Shanghai has protested to the Japanese over the maltreatment of a British woman and a British constable named Hamly.i, who went to her aid when crossing n bridge in the International Settlement.

PLANS TO BUY IRON

JAPANESE GOVERNMENT

BCIEDINCi CONSTRUCTION

(Reed August 2, 10 a.m.) TOKIO, August 1

The Government of Japan is preparing to buy for manufacture into munitions 20,000 tons of iron, due to he compulsory stoppage of construction of 17 department stores.