SOVIET THREAT TO USE FORCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19641, 8 November 1933, Page 7

SOVIET THREAT TO USE FORCE

ACTIVITIES OF JAPAN’S AIRCRAFT GROWING FEARS OF ARMED CLASH United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 7, 10.30 p.m.) TOKIO, November 6. The Soviet Ambassador to Japan interviewed Baron Hirota for three hours yesterday. It is believed the Soviet representative protested against nine Japanese military aeroplanes flying over territory in the neigbourhood of Vladivostok on Friday, and he warned Japan that in the event of a reptition, the Soviet forces will fire. Baron Hirota denied the assertions, and said inquiries showed that only two ’planes were flying on Friday. But these did not approach within two kilometres of the border. It is believed the Soviet accusations are regarded as propaganda, which is evidence of the difficult relations, but are important in view of the pending American recognition. The Soviet protested on Monday against the flight of ten Japanese military aeroplanes, including fighters and bombers, ten miles into Russian territory near Vladivostock on November 3. Isolated flights had been previously reported. Subsequently Japan denied the accusation.

UNEASY FOREIGNERS. PLANNING TO LEAVE MANCHUKUO. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright SHANGHAI, November 6. Foreigners in Manchukuo are uneasy, fearing the approaching of panic in some places because of the incessant talk about another war between Russia and Japan being inevitable. Many Harbin residents have disposed of their interests and left already, while others are winding up their affairs preparatory to leaving. A similar situation exists in Changchun and Mukden. Every night there are manoeuvres of aeroplanes, and there is a continual movement of Japanese troops northward. Failure to solve the Chinese Eastern Railway problem is heightening anxiety. SINO-SOVIET AGREEMENT. NON-AGGRESSION PACT LIKELY. PROVISION IN CASE OF WAR. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright SHANGHAI, November 5. Following protracted negotiations both at Moscow and at Nanking, it is reliably understood here that a non-aggression pact between China and the Soviet has been drafted, and is now under consideration. The treaty is reported to contain a most significant clause, providing that when one of the signatories declares war on a third country the other signatory will remain neutral, placing an embargo on the transportation of arms and ammunition to the third country. WARNING TO JAPAN.

AMERICAN ATTITUDE TO SOVIET. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright PARIS, November 6. The forthcoming talks between M. Litvinoff and Mr Roosevelt are considered certain to lead to the resumption of Soviet-American diplomatic relations. “Le Temps” thinks the resumption will be a warning to Japan. It is the repercussions that resumption may have on Japan’s position in the Far East and the Pacific that are chiefly disturbing American opinion.