EASTERN RAILWAY

Southland Times, Issue 22012, 11 May 1933, Page 7

EASTERN RAILWAY

RUSSIA’S OFFER TO SELL.

SIGNIFICANCE OF MOVE.

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 11.5 p.m.) London, May 10. The Daily Express says the fact that Russia is willing to sell the Chinese Eastern Railway and maintain comparatively weak forces in the maritime provinces and the Amur region, while reserving the best forces in inner Siberia, is unmistakable proof that Moscow is prepared for the inevitable loss of her Pacific dominions. It means also that sooner or later Vladivostock will be the sole ocean outlet. Russia s Asiatic territories will be at the mercy of the Japanese fleet. Japan has won the economic war, and the second phase may be as bloodless as the first.

The most recent of the many disputes over the Chinese Eastern Railway arose when the Japanese claimed that Russia had seized many locomotives and waggons from the railway, which, running across Manchuria, is Russia’s shortest route to Vladivostock. Russia replied with a sharp protest against the behaviour of Manchukuo in the control of the line. Japan answered by saying that this must be : ttled by direct negotiation between the Soviet and Manchukuo. Later there were Soviet complaints that Japan was stealing rolling-stock. Further notes followed, and a message last week said that Manchukuo had given the Soviet till May 10 to return locomotives and rolling-stock. The Soviet announced that it would not accede to the demand, and was reported to be withdrawing its Customs branches from Manchouli and Pogranichnaya (the border towns). It was stated that Russian troops were showing activity near the border, and that Russian aeroplanes were flying over Manchukuo. The line was built by Russia at the beginning of this century, and until the Japanese conquest of Manchuria its staff was half Russian and half Chinese.