The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-18
SOVIET STANDS
AS BARRIER TO
JAPAN'S GREED
Nippon Casts Covetous
Eyes on Siberia, Stirring
New Fears of War.
TROOPS ARE MASSED
Russia Ready for Attack If
Mikad0'S Armies
Advance.
BY JOSEPH H. BAIRD
United Press STAFF Correspondent

WASHINGTON, March 1S.-The
vast plains of northern Manchuria
and Siberia are being watched by
observers here as a possible danger
spot" in the far east.
Official information about the
marching and counter-marching OF
Chinese. japanese and Russian
armies is scarce. but the state and
war departments are following
closely press reports of border in
cidents" Of the Soviet-Manchurian
boundary. And, in private talks,
observers are asking:
us the world to witness another
RuSsian-Japanese conflict"
Officials here do not know the
answer to this question.
They know only that Soviet-Jap-
anese relations appear strained:
that Japan has, in the past at least.
coveted a part of Siberia; that Rus
STA is concentrating troops along
the Amur river; that Toxic denies
it will campaign against Moscow
unless attacked, and that Russia
gives every appearance of not want
ing war.
Report Plane Forced Down
Some of the press reports which
officials have been following in re-
cent days are these:
An Exchange Telegraph dispatch
from Hardin said that Japanese
airplane crossed over the Siberian
border at Pogranichaya and was
forced down by Russian airplaneS.
This subsequently was denied by the
Japanese.
A report from Hardin stated that
japanese troops, under General
Amano, had been sent east to Hal
lin Con the Chinese Eastern rail-
road, in the Russian zone of in
fluence), presumably to combat
Chinese insurgents. About the same
time the Russians were reported to
have moved thirty-seven locomo-
tiveS to the Ussuri railroad, which
Joins the Chinese Eastern about $50
miles east of Hailin.
A report asserted that White
(anti- Soviet Russian guards warm
ly were welcomed by japanese on
arrival at Hardin.
A report says that Russia was
concentrating 100000 men at Vladi-
vostok. its important Pacific port.
not far from the Japanese territory
of Korea.
Japan in Quandary
To officials and other informed
observers here these reports seem
ominous, yet there is no definite in
dication that Japan is planning to
enter a campaign of conquest in
Siberia.
Japan now appears to be at the
crossroads.
1t has subjugated Manchuria by
ousting Chinese authority. For the
moment it is triumphant in Shang-
hal.
On the other hand, the United
States and the League of Nations
are unwilling to recognize the status
quo in Manchuria. And the Shang-
hal campaign has not ended China's
boycott.
In this position it appears to OBJ
servers here that the Japanese gov
eminent has two alternatives.
To liquidate its Chinese adven-
ture attempt to restore normal re-
lationS with the rest of the world,
and return to the status quo Of
Sept. 18, 1881.
To seek prestige and new re-
sources abroad by the conquest Of
all of Manchuria and part of ST.
IBERIA, thus becoming master of the
| far east.
Officials here do not charge that
Japan harbors this latter ambition.
but it merely seems one possibility
in a cool analysis Of the present
situation.