WAR CLOUDS BANKING UP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18063, 25 January 1927, Page 4

WAR CLOUDS BANKING UP.

CONFESSION UNMASKS SOVIET ASPIRATIONS. TROOPS MASSING ON MANCHURIAN BORDER. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received January 25, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, January 24. Light is thrown on Soviet troop movements on the Manchurian border by the arrest and execution of General Yang-chow, adviser to Marshal Chang Tso-lin, when a Soviet coup to overthrow the Mukden war lord was frustrated. Documents seized reveal a huge scheme involving Soviet military plans to capture the three Eastern Provinces and to exterminate Marshal Chang and construct a huge arsenal, to be located at Harbin, for the distribution of arms to the followers of Yang-chow. Prior to his execution Yang-chow was tortured and revealed the entire plot, implicating Soviet officials at Pekin and elsewhere. Japanese and other diplomatic circles view the matter seriously. Japanese Move Reported. The Hankow incident is now regarded as of secondary importance, in view of the developments pending at Shanghai. % A large Japanese naval force is reported to have been secretly despatched to Chinese waters and to be anchored at the mouth of the Yang-tsze. Several British merchant ships with troops from Hongkong are likewise off the coast awaiting developments. The seriousness of the situation, long realised by local residents, is only now apparently being realised by the Home Government, judging by the lajgc troop departures from England and India. » Extremists’ Aims. Chinese extremists have started «- a movement to combat which international co-operation is imperative. Alone China would be unable to achieve the extremists’ aims, but flight be successful with Soviet assistance. A Japanese news agency supports the. earlier report that Soviet, troops are massing on the Manchurian frontier. The purpose is not clear. Shanghai Volunteers. Shanghai local authorities are appealing to foreigners to join the Volunteer Corps. Americans are showing reluctance to resist the so-called Chinese Nationalist movement. A White Russian unit has been formed.