MARTIAL LAW ON RAILWAY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18351, 23 August 1929, Page 9

MARTIAL LAW ON RAILWAY.

Grave Outlook In Manchuria.

BIG FORCES ASSEMBLING. (United Press Associ.Gon—By Aiectrio Telegraph—Copyright.) SHANGHAI. August 21. In consequence of the increasingly grave situation in Manchuria martial law has been declared along the entire Chinese Eastern Railway, following a series of acts of sabotage, including the derailment of a passenger train, and the destruction of a bridge, which is attributed to Communists.

In a message from headquarters, General Chang Hsue-liang states that artillery brigades and the Kirin forces are proceeding to the front to engage Soviet raiding parties on the border. Major engagements have not been reported since August 16, though there are extensive troop movements on both sides, obviously preparing for definite warlike operations. Manchouli correspondents report that two Soviet armoured trains loaded with infantry appeared 800 metres west of Manchouli. They deployed under cover of a train bombardment and attacked the Chinese entrenchments, the Chinese replying with trench mortars. The Reds eventually retired to their trains. Thirty Chinese were killed.

SEVERE FIGHTING REPORTED. BOTH SIDES SUFFER SEVERE CASUALTIES. (United Press Association—By Electrie Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received August 23, 1.8 a.m.) HONGKONG, August 22. A British naval wireless message states that reports have been received of severe fighting between Chinese and Russian troops, although the point of conflict is not mentioned, presumably the reports refer to the fierce engagements around Manchuli yesterday morning. It is estimated that 300 Chinese were killed and there were many casualties. The Russians also suffered heavy losses.

The Russian commander in a report to Mukden states that the Soviet forces are making strenuous efforts to capture Manchuli.