SOVIET CITIZENS

Southland Times, Issue 22131, 27 September 1933, Page 5

SOVIET CITIZENS

ARRESTS IN MANCHUKUO.

EASTERN RAILWAY DISPUTE.

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.10 p.m.) Shanghai, Sept. 26. Following the arrest of four Soviet citizens, technical servants of the Chinese Eastern Railway, three others were taken into custody yesterday, including the stationmaster at Pogranitchnaya, in connection with the alleged wrongful evacuation of 79 locomotives, the property of the Chinese Eastern Railway, into Siberia, while an accountant was arrested for monetary irregularities. M. Slavutsky, the Consul-General at Harbin, entered a strong verbal protest and received a reply that Manchukuo’s action was not taken against the men as Soviet citizens but as railway employees legally responsible for wrongful acts. The business of the railway is now reported to be at a standstill. Rumours that these arrests are the preliminary to Manchukuo taking over the line are denied, though denials are accepted with scepticism.

A previous message from Moscow stated: The Press adopts an antiJapanese attitude following the Soviet Note regarding the Eastern Railway, which created excitement in Manchukuo. As a result of a threat to supersede the Soviet manager, M. Rudy, by a Manchurian official, the Manchukuo authorities arrested M. Kublu, the chief accountant, M. Kalina, the manager of the motive power department, and M. Lavorff, the works manager.