Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-18
i. S. IS WATCHING
CHINESE SITUATION
State Department Keeping
in Touch With Developments
Due to Far Eastern interests.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
With mingled feelings OF apprehen-
sion lest war be imminent in the Orient
and hope that armed hoStilities may yet
be avoided, the washington Government
is keeping close watch on the rapidly
developing controversy between Russia
and China.
Press dispatches and consular advices
from Manchuria are being given de-
tailed study in a search for the proper
Interpretation of the action OF the So
Wet Union in breaking of diplomatic
relations with the Marking government
and what 1t may presage.
While it was pointed out that war
would not necessarily follow and cir
cumstances we're cited which we're re-
garded as virtually compelling an ami
cable settlement, 1t was generally agreed
that the diplomatic rupture had served
at best to add considerable gloom to the
outlook.
Americas Interests Involved.
With Americas extensive Far Eastern
interests necessarily involved, the State
Department has kept in constant touch
"ASAA tAAC SAtd0SAOAA 0AAtNC 40 AAASCPtAOAl
q week ago today in the seizure OF the
Chinese Eastern Railway by the Chi
neSe. President Hoover himself has fol-
lowed developments with an interest in
duced not only by the gravity of the sit
uation, but by an intimate knowledge
of the places and condition involved
which he gained during years OF travel
in Siberia and Manchuria as a mining
engineer
BY some officials the severance of the
thin thread of diplomatic intercourse
that has kept Russia and China on
speaking terms since the CommunistiC
outbreak in Canton two years ago was
accepted as logical. TO them 1t was
the expected result of the stand taken
by the Soviet government, its Ultima
tum and yelled threat Of retaliation
and It's Interpretation of the Chinese
reply as unsatisfactory.
Economic Situation Factor.
Others, while not discounting re-
ports of troop movements on both sides
of the Siberian Manchurian border
were of the belief that a series Of eco
nomic circumstances would avert actual
warfare.
They pointed out that both the Nam
king and Moskow regimes are young as
financial stability, and could be expect
ed TO prove extremely reluctant to un-
dertake an expensive war. The food
shortage in both countries also was
cited, together with the difficulty Russia
would encounter in transporting troops
and supplies across Siberia and MAN.
tanning communication lines over such
q distance.
World diplomacy, it was felt. also
would bring its influence to bear in
favor Of peace, primarily because OF
the manifold interests of the world
powers in the Orient and anxiety lest
an armed conflict with untold ramifi-
cations result. The Kellogg a1ti-waI
treaty, Of which both Russian and
China are adherents, was regarded O.
another important factor making fol-
peace.
Await Japan's Attitude.
oficials are waiting eagerly for some
indication Of the attitude Of Japan, az
the foreign nation most directly inter.
ested. The view has been advanced
that the Toxic government would be
most interested In maintaining the
situation regarding foreign-owned rail-
roads in China on the plan existing
prior to the present dispute, as that ma.
ton Is the owner of the important
South Manchurian Railway, which con-
meets the Chinese Eastern with DaireI1
and The ports OF the Yellow Sea.
On the other side of the balance, the
war ferVor and anti-Chinese demon.
STATIONS reported from Moscow, and re.
ports OF troop movements and an out
break Of hostilities on the Northern
Manchurian border, were cited as fac
tors which could not be ignored and as
adding uncertainty to situation de.
scribed by one official as loaded with
dynamite"