FAR EASTERN RUSSIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16662, 18 February 1922, Page 10

FAR EASTERN RUSSIA.

REDS AND WHITES IN CONFLICT. By Telegraph—Preps Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. # (Received February 18. 2.10 p.m ) TOKIO, February 17. An official message from Vladivostock reports that a force of Chita “ Reds.” 10,000 strong, again occupied Habarovsk on Monday after two days’ hard fighting. The hites are retreating to the south. The Vladivostock Government is alarmed, and is discussing measures to cope with the threatening situation. The Japanese Command has notified the Whites that they will be compelled to disarm the defeated army in the event of it entering the Japanese zone, according to the agreement with the Chita Government. This notification is greatly intensifying the antiJapanese sentiment. The coming of spring means the approach of a life and death struggle for the last antiCommunists left on Russian soil. The Dairen Conference is attempting to reach a final agreement prior to the Genoa Conference, hut it sticks at three points, namely:—Japan refuses to give up Nikolaievsk, and wants a date for dismantling th=, Vladivostock forts which were left open *, she is insisting on immediate disarming, and wants the Chita Government to recognise the continuance of the old fishery treaties which tha Whites want to refer to Moscow.