WAR CLOUDS IN THE EAST.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 26 January 1926, Page 7

WAR CLOUDS IN THE EAST.

Activities of the Soviet. THREATS AGAINST CHINA. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. Anitralinn and N.Z. (.'able Association. LONDUN. January 24. Paris reports tho receipt of messages indicating that Russia is actively preparing for war against China over tl><? arrest by Marshal Chang-Tso-Lin, the Manchurian war lord, of M: Ivanofl, the Soviet manager of the Chineso eastern railways, for refusing to allow military passengers to travel free. “Le Temps” Oslo correspondent say* the Soviet threat is not an idle one. The munition factories are working at full pressure, and the army is being mobilised. An extraordinary meeting of the Commissara at Moscow is planning * campaign. 1 Railway material is being assembled for the despatch of troops to China. A rigid censorship is exercised over nil telegrams from China and Japan.

80VIET OFFICIAL ARRESTED. SERIOUS SITUATION CREATED. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. . PEKIN, Januray 24. The Chinese military authorities arrested M. Ivanoff, the Soviet general manager of the Chinese Eastern Railway, and three departmental chiefs. The Soviet military attache had pre» Cioufily arrived at Harbin, and was arranging for Soviet military transportation from the Eastern to the Western sections of the railway following upon the receipt of a telegram sent by Soviet Ambassador threatening to occupy the railway with troops. The Chinese have now' appointed a white Russian as manager-engineer of the Southern section of th e railway, who is running trains southward of Harbin’. The Soviet Embassy claims that the arrests have created the most serious situation, constituting a grave insult, and violating the 1924 agreement. It has protested to the Chinese Foreign Office, and demanded M. Ivanoff’* immediate release, reserving the right to demand satisfaction. \ MOUNTING RED ARMIES. PURCHASE OF TROOP HORSES. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, January 24. The newspaper ‘‘Weekly Despatch” states that Mr Michael Beary has been commissioned to buy troop horses in Ireland for the Soviet cavalry, to the value of £60,000, paying £4O to £6O each, payment to be made after the tales of the stocks of Russian flax now in London warehouses. [Beary is a well-known Irish jockey, who more than once lias come into conflict with the English racing authorities.] RELEASE DEMANDED. CHINESE FOREIGN OFFICE PERTURBED. By Cabla—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PEKIN, January 24. The Foreign Office telegraphed to General Chang-Tso-Lin at Harbin urging the immediate release of M. lvanoff, stating that other _ outstanding questions must lie settled immediately. IS IT BLUFF? SOVIET AMAZED AT DEVELOPMENTS. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. “The Times.** Received Jan. 25, 7.45 p.m. LONDON. Jan. 24. The Riga correspondent of "The Times” says that advices from Moscow portray that the Bolshevist leaders are dismayed at the Manchurian developments. Apparently the Soviet action is intended merely to hamper mobility against the so-call-ed national armies, and General Chang’s determined retaliation came as a bombshell to Moscow, where the view seems to prevail that open effective Intervention Is impossible In the present circumstances, especially as it believed it would Involve a clash with Japan. It is held that General Chang would not risk what he is risking without the assurance of Japanese support. It Is reported that a movement of considerable Red Army forces towards China is regarded as mere bluff, as also is the veiled threat contained in M. Tchltchorin’s tlyee day ultimatum. CAUSE OF DISAGREEMENT. GENERAL CHANG’S COURAGEOUS STAND. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Received Jan. 25, 7.10 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 24. Mr Percival Landon, telegraphing to the "Dally Telegraph” from Pekin expresses the opinion that control of the Chinese Eastern railway is the key to the imbroglio with Russia. It has been the property of the Soviet since the White Russians were defeated but the Chinese soldiers claimed the right to use the railway and when Ivanoff (manager) demanded payment General Chang-tso-Lin arrested Ivanoff, thus definitely challenging the Soviet’s authority in China, where propaganda has been costing Russia £3,000,000 annually When she failed to convert China to Bolshevism, through Chinese leaelPh/nic 6 S ° Vlet begau stirrin S «P the Chinese masses to violence by direct stimulation, a .policy which, however proved a fiasco. The Russian attack s n^. ely t 0 establish General Chang’s position as the saviour of China.