FURTHER CLASHES.

Wairarapa Age, 21 August 1929, Page 5

FURTHER CLASHES.

EVENTS ON SINO-RUSSIAN FRONTIER. DETERMINED DRIVE BY SOVIET. HEAVY LOSSES. UnitM Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. SHANGHAI, August 19. A determined drive by the Soviet forces, in an endeavour to surround the Manchuli garrison, resulted in the biggest clash of the present series of frontier skirmishes. Yesterday the Soviet forces are reported to have suffered losses of several hundred killed and wounded, while a hundred were taken prisoners. A military conference, called by Marshal Chang-Sue-Hliemg, is shortly expected to produce direct measures to counteract the Soviet aggression. Fighting on a large scale may be expected. Tho present situation in Manchuria is clouded with uncertainty. Tho heavy firing of field and machineguns is continually heard on the border, though the nature of the engagement is mot ascertained. A number of shells are falling in the eity, injuring civilians. Mukden reports that the Soviet troop- Idoted and burned two Chinese villages, north of Kirin.

Observers, who have recently re‘turned from an inspection of the frontier, express the belief that the Soviet will refrain from an official declaration of war, but will connive at belligerent activities : n increasing proportions until the Manchurian authorities are frightened into submission •nd settlement of the railway dispute. —(Australian Press Association.) FIERCE BATTLE HEAVY ARTILLERY EMPLOYED. (Received Tuesday, 11.40 p.ifa.) HONG KONG, August 26. Chinese reports from Harbin state that fighting on a hitherto unprecedented scale is taking place between Russian and Chinese troops at the border town of Chalanor. The Soviet forces took the offensive, heavy fighting continuing for some hours. The Chinese, outnumbered, retired to trenchee, where fierce fighting is taking place. Both eidds are employing heavy artillery. According to Chinese reports the battle for Tungninhsien started on August 18 at dawn, continuing till yesterday afternoon. — (Australian Press Association.)