CHINA CAUTIOUS

Southland Times, Issue 20834, 24 July 1929, Page 5

CHINA CAUTIOUS

NO ATTACK LIKELY DECISION OF LEADERS MEASURES FOE DEFENCE REDS SEIZE THREE SHIPS MANCHOULI SURROUNDED (United Press Assn.-—By Telegraph—Copyright.) Shanghai, July 22. The Government leaders at Nanking have decided that China should confine herself to defence measures alone. Any firing from the Chinese side of the border will be in self-defence. The majority of Chinese officials at Nanking reiterate confidence that Russia will not fight. A Japanese report states that 2500 Soviet 'troops surrounded Manchouli in consequence of another rumour that Japan was despatching military forces to Manchuria to protect nationals in the event of an outbreak of Sino-Russian hostilities.

It is reported that ‘every White Russian residing in China is prepared for active service to assist China. A message from Pekin states that the Chinese military authorities are reinforcing the Urga front following the receipt of information that Soviet tactics appear to be forcing pressure on the western front while pretending to attack the eastern border. Over 80 foreigners hoping to travel to Europe via Siberia are held up at Harbin on the confluence of the Sungari and Heu-lung-kiang rivers. Soviet gunboats seized three Chinese merchant ships and removed the passengers, whom they carried into Russian territory.

Nanking is instructing Ministers abroad to inform signatories of the Kellogg Pact that China docs not intend to conflict with Russia, and is prepared to negotiate with a view to an amicable settlement. She is also willing to submit the question to the League as well as to the Kellogg signatories. A foreign military observer, who recently arrived in Siberia, asserts that Russia has been preparing for the Manchurian trouble for months, and has now concentrated 120,000 troops on the border with heavy artillery, bombing planes, gas machines, and every modern device of warfare.—Australian Press Association. MOVE BY AMERICA AN INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION. NANKING’S REPLY TO SOVIET. (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) Shanghai, July 23. It is reported that the United States is considering the formation of an international arbitration commission composed of representatives from countries which signed the Kellogg Anti-War Paet, in order to deal with the Sino-Russian crisis. First, however, it is understood that America will endeavour to secure the withdrawal of military forces concentrated on the SinoRussian frontier. The Nanking Government has decided to reply to the Soviet’s second note reiterating its desire to settle the railway dispute by peaceful means. The new note will ask that a Russian delegate be appointed to confer with China's delegate, the Charge d’Affaires at Moscow.—Australian Press Association. FRENCH OFFER DECLINED. (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) Moscow, July 22. It is semi-officially stated that the Soviet has declined France’s offer of mediation owing to the Chinese refusal to restore her status quo on the railway.—Australian Press Association. CHINESE ARRESTED VLADIVOSTOCK BUSINESS MEN. .(Rec. 11.55 p.m.) Shanghai, July 23. The chief information from the north emanates from Japanese’ observers, who report that the Soviet authorities at Vladivostock arrested approximately 1000 Chinese business men for a purpose that is not stated. Russian residents in Manchouli have practically completed an ordered withdrawal outside Chinese territory, moving across the border. The German Legation at Pekin has received telegraphic instructions from its home Government to undertake the protection of Soviet residents in China and it wired Nanking to this effect. The Germans took complete control of the Soviet .Legation quarters at noon to-day, the majority of the Russians departing for Tientsin. —Australian Press Association. POWERS CO-OPERATING EFFORT TO MAINTAIN PEACE. Rugby, July 22. Mr Arthur Henderson, Foreign Secretary, replying to a question in the House of Commons, confirmed that as a result of communications received from the United States Government on Saturday, the British Government sent word to both the United States Government and the French Government that it associated itself with them in all the efforts they were making to secure a pacific settlement between the Soviet Government of Russia and the Chinese Government. Mr Henderson was asked whether there would be an undertaking that there would be no diplomatic relations with either of those powers if the Kellogg Pact was not kept. He replied: "I think to give a commitment like that, in view of the fact that it has not been decided which of the two countries is at fault, would not be in the interests of peace.” STALIN’S OPPONENTS REMOVED. Berlin, July 22. The Vossische Zeitung announces that the Soviet Executive Committee expelled M. Bukharin and six other oppositionists, thus removing the last of Stalin’s opponents.—Australian Press Association. SOVIET AND THE KELLOGG PACT. Washington, July 22. M. Claudel has presented Mr Stimson, the Secretary of State, with Moscow’s assurance that Russia recognizes the power of the Kellogg Pact and desires to force no action with China.—Australian Press Association. GERMAN MEDIATION APPROVED. Moscow, July 23. Soviet circles welcome the offer of German mediation, which is the only acceptable channel. They decline the League’s mediation because the majority of the League members are imbued with the antiSoviet spirit.—Australian Press Association.