WAR?

Southland Times, Issue 20832, 22 July 1929, Page 7

WAR?

Red Offensive TWO TOWNS ATTACKED UNOFFICIAL REPORT OF HOSTILITIES NANKING REMAINS CALM (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 11.22 p.m.) • Shanghai, July 20. Relayed unconfirmed messages from Japanese correspondents at Harbin report that Soviet forces assumed the offensive at 10 o’clock this morning, launching two surprise attacks and capturing the border towns of Manchuli and Pogranichnaya. The former is the connecting link between the Chinese Eastern and Siberian railways. Chinese authorities, alarmed at the news of the Russian offensive, interned all Russian officials remaining in the city. The populace is panic stricken in both besieged towns. Soviet aeroplanes carried out demonstrations over the border towns. Four Soviet gunboats have arrived at the mouth of the Sungari. Nanking is outwardly calm, despite reports of hostilities. At a meeting of the State Council to-day it was decided to sever diplomatic relations with Russia.

General Saveloff, the Tsarist Cossack leader, has established headquarters at Harbin and is enlisting White volunteers in active service against the Soviet. —Australian Press Association.

EARLIER MESSAGES

ROAR OF GUNS HOSTILITIES ALLEGED TO HAVE BROKEN OUT. AN UNCONFIRMED REPORT. (Rec. 11.0 p.m.) Shanghai, July 20. The Mercury, a British evening paper, publishes an unconfirmed Japanese report that hostilities have broken out between the Soviet and Chinese forces assembled on the Manchurian frontier, but the report is not supported by further information, and is believed to be unreliable. Harbin, the Manchurian city, is the centre of the present political maelstrom. It is reported that there was a panic following the declaration of martial law. Telegraphic communication with Russia has ceased, but telephonic communication continues. The Soviet Consul was placed in his house under arrest late yesterday. All the responsible Soviet officers connected with the railway administration have been ordered to evacuate China in 24 hours. Seventy additional suspected Russian Communists have been arrested. Harbin is patrolled by large forces of Chinese soldiery. The newspapers, even Japanese, are subjected to a rigid' censorship. Business is at a complete standstill.— Australian Press Association. “WAR MOST IMPROBABLE” CHINESE OFFICIALS. “WAR MOST IMPROBABLE.” HOPE OF AMICABLE SETTLEMENT. Shanghai, July 20. Though the Nationalist Foreign Office has received the Soviet Note severing relations, the full text is not published locally. Following receipt of Moscow’s message, President Chiang conferred with the Government leaders, but the result of the deliberations have not been announced, though Hu Han-min, President of the Executive Council, and one of China’s elder statesmen, declared that the Government was not perturbed by Moscow’s attitude. “Nothing serious is expected to come of it.” In addition to announcing that war between China and Russia is most improbable, it is reiterated in official circles that the seizure of the railway was for the purpose of suppression of Communist propaganda/ Full responsibility for interference with international relations and disruption of the service rests with the Soviet. Wellinformed circles announce that the Government has not entirely abandoned hope of an amicable settlement, though China is fully prepared to meet any developments arising in the north.

Telegrams from Chang Hsuh-liang, the Manchurian overlord, states that the Soviet is continuing the concentration of troops on the Siberian border. The situation is extremely grave. —Australian Press Association. JAPANESE INTERESTS EXTREME CIRCUMSPECTION NECESSARY. Kobe, July 20. Mr K. Adachi (Minister of Home Affairs) expresses the opinion that the China-Rus-sian rupture is far from war. He says the relations were practically broken before. If war breaks out, extreme Japanese circumspection will be needed. If China insists on her present demands, abnormal complications will arise. Mr Hochie says it is China’s and Russia’s own concern. Both should, after consideration, realize the disadvantage of hostilities over north Manchuria. He hopes for peace, but otherwise the powers must actively promote peace. « Mr Kokumin says Japan must observe strict neutrality, but she must take action if the south Manchuria railway is involved. She must also prevent Japanese adventurers fishing in the troubled waters. —Australian Press Association. SOVIET’S ATTITUDE WAR NOT DESIRED. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, July 19. The Moscow correspondent of the Daily News says: The Soviet will not declare war on China and will not send troops to Manchuria unless the Chinese invade Soviet territory, said Mr Jan Rudzutak, Commissar of Transport, to foreign newspaper men. He added that this decision was most difficult because the masses are most indignant at the insolent Chinese violation of the treaties, but unless Russians were attacked, the Soviet will bear the loss of

several hundred million roubles income from the Chinese eastern railway until China has established a Government respecting the treaties and protecting the Nationals. Anyway, these losses are far less than financing a war. —United Service. PRESERVING PEACE AMERICAN REPRESENTATIONS. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Washington, July 19. The United States, at the advice of Mr H. L. Stimson (Secretary of War) has advised China and the Soviet that they are bound to preserve peace by the Kellogg Pact. Mr Stimson conferred with the Minister, Dr Wu, who stated that China was faithfully observing the pact, although it technically was still ineffective. He also stated that the Chinese Government was observing meticulously to the letter and spirit of the Pacific Treaty of 1921 as well as the Kellogg Pact. Dr Wu stated: “My Government’s action in rejecting from the management of the Chinese Eastern Railway certain Russian citizens, was made necessary when the Russians concerned misused their positions in a manner detrimental to Chinese interests, in violation of the Soviet Government’s solemn pledges that they were disseminating in Chinese territory, propaganda attacking the foundations of our Government and social institutions, as well as violating the Sino-Russian agreement of 1924 in their management of the railway. If the Russian Government persists despite our desire for peace in forcing war upon us, China of course will defend herself, but the aggressor nation will bear the responsibility if it is not settled by peaceful means.”—Australian Press Association. MASS MEETING SOVIET “READY.” Moscow, July 19. Mass meetings in connection with the agitation against China are being held throughout the country.’ M. Kalin in a speech declared that the Soviet was ready to answer'blow for blow. PEACE URGED WHAT OF THE KELLOGG PACT? Paris, July 19. M. Briand visited the Chinese and Russian Ministers, and it is understood he asked them to exhaust every means for peacefully solving the crisis. He also emphasized the fact that recourse to arms was not consistent with their signing the Kellogg Pact. —Australian Press Association.