RUSSIA AND JAPAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 10, 13 January 1936, Page 7

RUSSIA AND JAPAN

DANGER IN FAR LAST INTENSE RUSSIAN HUGE FORTIFICATIONS RUSSO-ANGLO FEELING AN IMPROVEMENT NOTED. [By Telegraph Press Association—Copy* Received Jan. JI. 7 p.m. JUNDON, Jan. 10. The News-Chronicle foresees grave Russo-Japanese developments owing to Far Eastern complications. President V. M. Molotov declared, amid applause, at a meeting of the Soviet Central Executive, that Jap.an and Germany were threatening Russia. Consequently an increased military Budget was necessary. He added that the Soviet’s own force would defend its frontier, but pointed out that Anglo-Russia relations had markedly improved and he hoped that this would continue. On the contrary, Herr Hitler has never withdrawn his earlier anti-Russian threats. Consequently, all his aggressive statements must still be regarded as valid, despite the recent Russo-German trade agreement. Moreover, Germany was continuing an anti-Soviet policy in Poland, Finland and the Baltic States, while a Japanese and German military agreement was rumoured. Meanwhile, Japan was strengthening the Kwantung Army and exerting stronger pressure on North. China. The Morning Post’s Riga correspondent says that Soviet fortifications on a 1500-mile front from Baikal to Vladivostok, are nearing completion. Details have been kept secret, but are known to include numerous forts, anti-aircraft bases, and underground barracks of reinforced concrete. A mile behind the first line is the second line. Between are numerous “tank traps,” fitted with Soviet-invented tank mines. Also there are special sectors called “death traps,” where an enemy would be allowed to penetrate. Several auxiliary railways already are built in the Baikal, Amur and Vladivostok regions. The fortifications in the latter region extend two miles behind Vladivostok, while the Nikolsk and Blagovyeshccnsk stations are described by the Soviet as the “Verduns” of the Far East.