The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-08-15
Before It Is Too Late


Border clashes between outposts Of the two armies
such as those reported Tuesday, can not go on in
definitely without general explosion. In preparation
for such eventuality, Moscow just has placed the
famous general, V. c. Bluecher, in command of all
its Siberian forces
American correspondents in Russia, who have not
been accustomed to sending out alarmst reports, view
the situation seriously
One of the most disturbing dispatches from Man
chu is that recently received from this newspapers
foreign editor william Philip Snlms, describing the
rapidly increasing preparations of the two armies
facing each other across narrow No Mans land.
He indicated that the Manchurian provincial
government Is much more willing to negotiate a
peaceful settlement with the Russians than is the
Chinese nationalist government at Marking.
Even the japanese. who hardly can be charged
with pro-soviet sympathes inclined to place most
of the blame Marking for precpitating the crisis
and blocking settlement.
Never was there less excuse for a war than the
that now threatens.
The dispute is suited especially to arbitral or
judicial solution It has to do with rights of the two
nations under the Chinese-Russian treaty of 1924
confirming joint control and management of the
Chinese Eastern railway.
The Chinese have seized the road and arrested and
action by the charge Of Soviet propaganda. The Rus
slams deny the charge, and demand return of the
railway TO Its treaty status.
The situation is aggravated by the presence in
Manchuria of large numbers of former czarist or
White Russian soldiers, who are eager to force China
into war with their Soviet enemies and who are
reported responsible for most of the border fighting
Considering that China virtually has torn up a
treaty and tied up railroad on which Russia is
nomcay dependent, Moscow has not been beliger-
ent in this matter Moscow wants peace because the
Russian economic and financial reconstruction to
which it is devotng its best energies would be jeop-
ardized by war Reorganization and expenditures.
Manchuria also needs peace. Tt can maintain and
strengthen its autonomy under the Marking national
ist government only through peaceful development
and operation of the prosperous railroad; not by
letting southern Chinese armies come through the
Great Wall to make Manchuria a battle-ground for
most of Asia.
Nor can Marking afford a Doubtless 1t has
Unanswered itself into position where it needs Ito
save its face before returning the road to treaty
status But worse than the loss of face" is in store
for the nationalist government if it permits war.
Nationalist China, having had world sympathy
during its long struggle against native mitarsts and
foreign explorers is beginning to lose that world
sympathy. During the last six months the internal
nationalist strife the censorship of American
papers and dispatches, and the militaristic eanngs
Of Marking have made the nationalists best friends
question the future.
The nationalist minister of finance resigned be-
cause most of the money going to armies instead
of to famine relief construction of roads and rail-
ways and economic development and balancing the
budget.
For the good of both China and Russia, and to
prevent war which might draw in Japan and other
countries We hope the Washington government will
renew efforts for international mediation before it is
too late