Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-18
Russia Breaks With China.

q Events are marching fast and
orninously In the Far East China's ap-
parent Cancellation. In response tn the
Soviets demand for reconsideration Of
the Chinese Eastern Railway seizure
has failed to appease Moscow. Late
last night. at the expiration of the
Russian ultimatum, the BolsheviSt gov
eminent announced the formal sever
ance Of relations with China. asserting
that all means Of reaching an amicable
settlement have been exhausted.
The Chinese reply 10 Russian de-
rnands is not only termed unsatisfac-
tory. but branded as hypocritical
Moscow's statement has all the ear
marks, II not the precise tenor of
declaration of war. Indeed. Chinese
dispatches Of more or less reliable
origin. allege that Soviet troops have
already been repulsed In an attempt to
cross the Amur River which forms the
northern boundary of Msnchuria.
Thus. almost fifteen years, TO the
very week, from the date when another
ultima tum-the imperious Austrian de-
mands upon Serbia in July, l914-lit
the fires of the World War. mankind
once again faces q conflict of quite as
inmeasurable consequences as the holo-
caust which spread around the globe
before It burnt itself out. II war comes
In Asia, more than one-fourth Of the
earths estimated population and about
seven per cent of It's entire area would
be involved, even II operations were
confined to the teeming millions and
vast domains of Russia and China.
It would be the cruelest irony Of fate
II those two signstories to the Kellogg
pact were to be at war a week hence,
at the very moment Of the impending
ratification ceremony in Washington.
President Hoover had planned to make
1t an event fully emblematic of its i'm
portance TO a world which Graves the
remuneration of war as an instrument Of
national policy. China would be repre-
eented at the pact function by her
Minister to the United States. Soviet
Russia would have as It's spokesman the
French Ambassador in Washington.
Moscow having declared her adherence
10 the anti-war treaty through the me-
dunn of the Paris government.
If there was ever controversy
ideally circunnstanced for srbitral ad-
tustment. within the meaning of the
Kellogg pact. the Russian-Chinese
imbroglio seems to answer that descrip-
ton. But all the world that knows
ANYTHING about Eastern Asia appreciates
that the railway rumpus, even though
II involves q property said to be worth
a billion dollars, is not the real thing
at stake.
The actual hone Of contention is the
mastery of Northern and Western
China. Upon those sprawling provinces
Soviet Russia casts as coyetous and
intriguing eyes as ever were rolled in
their direction by Czarist imperialism.
Mongolia long since ceased to be Chi
nese in anything but a geographical
term. To all intents and purposes 1T
is part and parcel of the Soviet Union.
Tibet is in almost the same state OF
Russian vassalage. Northern Man
churia, the Chinese have long been
convinced. is marked AZ the next field OF
Russian conquest, by Communist propa-
sanda, If possible. and by armed force
rs is now threatened-if necessary.
The Western world. while continuing
TO hope, almost against hope, that ways
and means will vet be found to avert
extremes In Manchuria, will await with
eager interest the role which Japan
may decide to play. Toxic Is aStride
D considerable dilemma. The Japanese
could not view with equanimity q re-
vval Of Russis's power and influence in
Northern China. 1t was to thrust that
very influence back that Nippon made
victorious war on Russia in 1904. Yet
Japan could look with just as little
satisfaction upon Chinese triumph
+ based on China's claim to despoil Russia
Of covenanted railway rights. To be
clearly remembered at this juncture is
Chinas bitter contention that Japans
: 9e-year lease of the South Manchurian
Railway was an unholy transaction be-
cause It was part and parcel Of the
notorious Twenty-one Demands of 1915.
Austria and Serbia fifteen years ago
proposed to "localize" their war. If the
Bear and the Dragon fly at each others
: Threats, will they be any more successful
than the original European belligerents
were in restricting hostilities to them
selves? That, for us of the Western
3 Hemisphere, is the principal food for
Midsummer thought just now.