WAR INEVITABLE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 751, 3 May 1933, Page 1

WAR INEVITABLE.

Clash Between Russia and Japan Predicted. TROOPS OR THE MOVE. United P ess Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received May 3. 10.30 a.m.) PEKIN, May 2. A grave view is taken by the Chinese newspapers of the Chinese Eastern Railway controversy as the result of the detention of rolling stock, which nominally is the concern only of Russia and Manchukuo, but which has actually become the matter of a dispute between Russia and Japan. The papers state that three Japanese divisions are now concentrated north of Manchuria, while large bodies of Russian troops are moving across Siberia to the maritime provinces. Reliable foreign advices confirm the fact that Japanese troops are withdrawing from Jehol to Harbin. Harbin dispatches state that the Russian authorities ordered Nationals to hold themselves in readiness for any eventualities. The Chinese newspapers interpret these developments as indicating that a second Russo-Japanese conflict is inevitable. “ TROUBLE NOT LIKELY.” TOKIO, May 1. Officials belittle the alarmist reports from Harbin in regard to the possibility of the Manchukuo-Soviet dispute concerning the Chinese Eastern Railway threatening to develop into a situation endangering peace. A Government spokesman stated to newspaper representatives that serious trouble was not likely. Manchukuo had asked for some amendment of the working agreement under which the railway was managed, because the Soviet had prevented Manchukuo officials participating equally in the management. A Shanghai message 'ays that Manchukuo had given the S >viet until May 10 to return the locomotives and roll ing stock allegedly seized.' The Soviet has announced its determination not to accede to the request and was consequently withdrawing Soviet Customs branches at Manchuli and Pogranichnaya, while Russian troops were showing some activity beyond Manchuli, and aeroplanes had been flying over Manchukuo territory.