CHINA AND SOVIET

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 242, 11 September 1929, Page 7

CHINA AND SOVIET

WORST FIGHTING YET.

SOVIET ’PLANES ACTIVE

HEAVY DAMAGE INFLICTED.

(United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) Received September 11, 9.30 a.m. SHANGHAI, Sept. 10. The worst fighting since the commencement of the rupture between the Soviet and China is reported to be proceeding 100 miles south of Habarovsk. Already it lias lasted two days and nights. The reports are belated, but all agree that the Soviet ’planes have been extremely active and have inflicted heavy damage. The railway station _ at Pogranichnaya has been demolished, and numerous smaller railway stations liavo been bombed. There are strong rumours locally to the effect that the Russian aggression is the outcome of alleged persecution of Soviet internees in Manchuria. Suifenh reports the complete destruction of the railway station by Soviet bombing ’planes, the severance of communications and the demolition of a stationary armoured train, as a result of which 20 soldiers were killed. The inhabitants of the various towns are fleeing in panic. The Chinese border defence force are holding all the positions.

BELIEF AT TOKIO

(Australian Press Association.) TOKIO, Sept. 10.

Official advices confirm the report that five Soviet aeroplanes yesterday bombed a station on the Eastern border of Manchuria, with 28 casualties. The fighting hitherto has been confined to sporadic raids of irregulars, of which both sides arc magnifying the reports for propaganda purposes. Officials at Tokio do not believe that actual warfare is likely, and are still hopeful of an ultimate settlement without outside intervention.

WHITE GUARDS IN MANCHURIA. (Australian Press Association.) MOSCOW, Sept. 9. The Foreign Office has again preemptorily demanded that the Governments of Nanking and Mukden dissolve the divisions of White Guards in Manchuria immediately.