WAR ALLEGEDLY STARTED

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1929, Page 11

WAR ALLEGEDLY STARTED

RUSSIAN ATTACK UPON CHINESE

NO CONFIRMATION OF THE RUMOUR

FRONTIER TOWNS SAID TO BE TAKEN

('By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyngx..., - Australian Press Association. Received July 22, 11.20 p.m, Shanghai, July 20.

Unconfirmed messages relayed from Japanese correspondents at Harbin report that the Soviet’s forces assumed the offensive against the Chinese at 10 o’clock this morning. Two surprise attacks were made, the Russians capturing the border towns of Manchuria and Pogranichnava, the former being the connecting link of the Chinese Eastern and Siberian railways.

The Chinese authorities, alarmed at the news of a Russian offensive, interned all the 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 the reports of hostilities.

- At a meeting of the State Council to-day it was decided to sever diplomatic relations with Russia. General Saveloff, a Tsarist Cossack leader, has established headquarters at Harbin arid is enlisting White volunteers for active service against the Soviet.

The British evening paper Mercury 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 which is the centre of the present political maelstrom, is reported .to be in a panic following, the declaration of martial law. Telegraphic communication with Russia has ceased, but telephonic communication continues. * The Soviet consul was placed in a house under arrest late yesterday. All 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 the Japanese, are subjected to rigid censorship and business is at a complete standstill.

Earlier messages state that though ihe Nationalist Foreign Office has received the Soviet Noto severing diplomatic relations, the full text is not published locally. Following the receipt of Moscow s message President Chiang conferred with the Government leaders, but the result of their deliberations was not announced, though Huhanmin, president of the executive council, and ono of China’s elder statesmen, declared the Government was not perturbed by Moscow’s attitude and that “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 the suppression of Communist propaganda, and full responsibility for the interference with international relations and the disruption i

of the service rests with the Soviet. Well informed circles announce that the. Government has not entirely abandoned the hope of an amicable -settlement, though China is fully prepared to meet any developments arising in the north. Telegrams from Chang Hseuh Liang, the Manchurian overlord, state the Soviet is continuing the concentration of troops on the Siberian border and the situation is extremely grave. The Daily News’ correspondent at Moscow says: “The Soviet will not declare war on China and will not send troops to Manchuria unless the Chinese invade Soviet territory,” said Jan Rudzutak. Commissar of Transport, to foreign newspaper men. He added that this decision was most difficult, because the masses were most indignant at the insolent violation of treaties by the Chinese, but unless Russians were attacked the Soviet would bear the loss of several hundred million roubles income from the Chinese-Eastern railway until China had established a Government respecting treaties and protecting Nationals. Anyway, these losses would be far less than the cost of financing a war.

A previous message stated that mass meetings in connection with the agitation against China are being held throughout the country. Kalin, in a speech, declared that the Soviet was ready to answer blow for blow. The opinion of a leading Japanese is that the Chino-Russian rupture is far from war. lie says 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. Hoehie says it is China and Russia’s own concern. Both should, after consideration, realise 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 Manchurian railway is involved. She must also prevent Japanese adventurers fishing in troubled waters.”