WAR THREAT IN MANCHURIA

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1929, Page 9

WAR THREAT IN MANCHURIA

TENSE SITUATION ON THE BORDER

’SPARK MAY SET FRONTIER AFLAME

JAPANESE CIVILIANS WITHDRAW

(By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) Received July 23, 1 a.m. Shanghai, July 22.

The latest messages from Harbin report the arrival of large numbers of Japanese refugees from Manchuria, mostly women and ehildren, bringing a message that the Japanese Consul had stated that owing to the increasingly critical situation there was a possibility of the destruction of the railway bridge across the Hailar River and he had ordered the withdrawal of Japanese civilians, though previously it had been intended to accommodate them at the consulate.

A telegraphic message from Manchuli states that, acting on Chinese instructions from Mukden, the military officials on the western frontier are sending their families to Harbin by special train,adding to the anxiety of other inhabitants and causing rumours that hostilities are expected momentarily.

DEMONSTRATION BY SOVIET

ACTUAL OUTBREAK DENIED.

CHINA’S MANIFESTO TO POWERS.

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.

Shanghai, July 21. Official confirmation of the capture of Manchuli and Pogganichnaya by the Soviet forces is lacking. It appears possible that the reports, which were given to Japanese correspondents by Chinese refugees from those towns, are based on the continued gunfire demonstration and the Soviet aeroplanes. General Shang Chinghui, Governor of Heilungkiang, in a telegram to Peking, denies the outbreak of actual hostilities. On the other hand Nanking to-night received two telegrams from Chang-Hsiie-Hiliang stating that the Soviet forces commenced the offensive yesterday in the vicinity of Pogganichnaya. The advance coincided with reports of an attack on Manchuli.

A Chinese report states that the Chinese troops remained on the defensive, though Japanese reports from the affected zone indicate an exchange of shots with the subsequent flight of the Chinese forces.

It is also reported that the Russian troops are in possession of a number of machines for the purpose of discharging poison gas. It is reliably stated that the mobilisation at Vladivostock of all men between 17 and 35 years is taking place. It is officially announced that all Japanese residents in Manchuli and Pogganichnaya have been withdrawn. The massing of 3000 White Cossacks in the Manchuli district is also reported.

Chiang-Kaishek has issued circulars stating that it is urgent for the entire army to rise against Red Imperialism and to uphold the sovereign rights of China. The Soviet’s ultimatum to China is impossible. It involves the national honour. The country must unite in opposition to Red Russia, even though many may perish in the struggle. The Nanking manifesto to the world Powers explains that the Soviet Government utilised various departments of the Chinese Eastern Railway to promote sinister schemes for assassination, sedition and the destruction of China’s internal arrangements, therefore the seizure of the railway was an act of self-defence. The manifesto declares that the responsibility of the present rupture rests with Russia.

More than 30,000 White Russians have applied to the Chinese military authorities at Harbin for enlistment in order to fight against the Soviet.

It is reported that he feeling against the Soviet by White Russians is very bitter. Young Chang, son of the recently assassinated Mukden war lord, and present ruler of Manchuria, has heeded the requests from the Nanking Government and left Peitaiho, where he had been spending the summer, and returned to Mukden.

Following the receipt of a telegram from Chiang-Kaishek stating that the situation had taken a turn for the worse, it was announced by the Chinese, locally, that the German Government

had agreed to assume charge of the Chinese interests in Russia and the Russians’ interests in China. Soviet officials continued to leave China, among recent departures being the Soviet Consul, 14 officials and women and children.

Chinese merchants have promised the Government 100,000 bags of flour, 10,000,■OOO dollars, and a regular supply of rice in the event of the necessity of hostilities.

INTERVENTION OF THE POWERS.

FEELING IN LEAGUE CIRCLES.

United Service. London, July 21. It is semi-officially announced that the British Government has informed the French and American Governments of its co-operation in attempting to relax the Sino-Russian tension. Authoritative circles in London do not regard the situation pessimistically, pointing out that the channel for Sino-Russian communications remains in Geneva.

League circles regard America’s reminder to the Chinese and Russian Governments of the signature of the Kellogg Pact as an important precedent. It is pointed out in Paris that is was appropriate that French and American Governments should communicate with China and Russia, seeing that the former inaugurated the pact. America has no official relations with the Soviet and utilises France’s services in order to communicate with Moscow. The Soviet’s attitude towards the League prevents the League acting usefully. Received July 22, 7 p.m.

United (Service. Washington, July 21. The British Ambassador, Sir Esme Howard, on Sunday informed the Secretary of State (Mr. J. G. Stimson) that the British Government would be happy to associate itself with the secretary’s move to bring about peace in the SinoSoviet controversy. The British, French and Japanese ambassadors, representing three of the four Powers who were parties to the PanPacific treaty of 1921, which binds them to confer when peace is threatened in the East, were consulted on Thursday by Mr. Stimson in connection with his calling the attention of the Soviet and China to their obligations under the Kellogg treaty. Though President Chiang reiterates his confidence that the Manchurian situation will be settled amicably, the country everywhere is in a state •of suspense, especially in the north, where foreign observers fear a minor clash of opposing troops, either at Manchuli or Progranichnaya, may constitute the spark which will set the border aflame.

Week-end messages arc notably scanty in their references to military movements on the border. This is believed to be indicative of quietness. According to Japanese messages from Manchuli the Chinese are diggino- entrenchments along the northern edge of the town, resulting in the inhabitants taking flight and barring their homes against an attack.

Th e military situation at Progranichnaya, at the other end of the railway, is quiet, but it is reported that Chinese troops fired on Soviet aeroplanes, which retaliated by dropping bombs on Russian territory in a threatening manner as a warning.