TROUBLE OVER A RAILWAY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 225, 21 April 1933, Page 3

TROUBLE OVER A RAILWAY

RUSSIA'S LINK WITH THE FAR EAST

Once again, according to the cables, the Chinese Eastern Railway—that iron road that forms a link in the enormous railway span running across Europe through Russia, Siberia ad Manchuria to the Pacific port of Vladivostock—has come into the limelight. The C.W.R., Imilt with Rus skin and Fre.'ieh capit'il to the standard Russian gauge of five Leet, had a troubled history. li runs through territory "Where Three Empires meet" —China, Japan and Russia; it. is a link in tin* world's longest railway; it traverses territory whose administration and sovereignty arc in dispute, and it. has a strategic commercial and diplomatic importance that has resulted in its being the cause of mine trouble than any other railway in the world. For some weeks past Moscow has complained that troops of well-armed bandits have been attacking stations and railway camps on the line, and destroying the track with the object of looting trains. Moscow is bitter because, in spite of application to the Japanese staff and to the Manchilkuo authorities, nothing has been done to stop the depredations of the bandits who, it is alleged, have close rehi lions with Manchukuo officials working' under the orders of Japanese officials.

Whatever truth there may he in these allegations the Soviet Government has been disturbed, and has retaliated by "removing" to Soviet territory all the rolling stock on which it could lay hands.

For the time being China has ceased to exercise any control over the 1000-mile section that runs across north Manchuria and Japan is r-.oi disposed to see the Soviet, in control of a railway which, from its strategic and commercial importance, is of vital concern to her.

The line has thus become an important factor in Russo-Japanese relations, while Soviet penetration in China plus fears for the integrity of the western frontier of Manchuria, is a potent cause for alarm throughout the Far East.

Already Japan has complained that Soviet troops have removed the frontier posts and that the Soviet War Department has erected barracks for troops inside the Manchurian border. While there is alarm or simulated alarm at this penetration, the news from the Chinese provinces of Sze chuen, Shensi and Kansu shows those territories to be riddled by famine, banditry and Communism. The latest report from Szochuen states that the Communists number 00,000 fight ins men, that they have occupied the wealthiest district:; and have inflicted complete defeat on the local war lords. Exasperated by many years of fighting and civil strife, and by the subsequent heavy "squeeze" to which they have been subjected, it is now feared that the people may lend an ear to Communist propaganda. Meantime, the Chinese Government, overwhelmed by its troubles, appears to be unable to deal with the situation. Further north the position remains obscure. The policy which forced Japan to land five divisions in Manchuria is now seen to have brought her into conflict with Russia, which has gradually accumulated her divisions on the Manchurian bordedr.

But Moscow has no liking for an open breach with Japan, which is credited with the intention of seizin!';, at her leisure, the Russian mantime provinces facing the Sea of Japan. With those provinces Russia is linked only by the railway. If the use- of thai be denied her the fears of the Soviet can be understood. Russia has lone sought a pact of non -aggression with Japan, which, however, has shown a reluctance to come to terms. It may suit Japan's policy to be free to strike at her own time' and in her own way, by using the puppet State of Manchukuo to provoke the Soviet into action. Cut oft* from these plots and coun-ter-plots by her exclusion from all territory not'th of the Great Wall, China looks around for a new policy, following her bitter disappointment* with the Lytton report and subsequent events. She has resumed diplomatic and consular relations with Moscow, and, while Communist penetration 'in China proceeds apace, the Nanking Government finds itself unable or unwilling to suppress the steadv spread of the "Reds." Behind the curtain that veils them, momentous happenings in the East are taking place. Out of the welter of intrigue, ignorance and chaos that prevails south of the Wall, there come only vague reports; so, too, from the immense region north of the Wall, but there the situation is dominated by the cold, purposeful policies of two groat Powers. They view each other with distrust and dislike. Each fears the other, but perhaps Moscow has more to fear from Tokyo than Tokyo from Moscow. Manchuria and its frontiers, together with the Chinese Eastern Railway, are the pawns in the game. Just a quarter of a century ago Japan effectually checkmated her rival on that same board.