Evening star., 1932-05-15
WAR POSSIBILITY
SEEN IN FAR EAST
Growing Hostility Marked as
Japan and Russia Pre-
pare Troops.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

By CONSTANTINE BROWN.
A conflict between Japan and the
Soviet Republic Is considered in usually
well informed Washington circles as a
possibility.
For months the relations between
the two countries have been strained
Russia has been massing troops and
large quantities of supplies and wal
material in Siberia in the vicinity OF
the Manchurian border while Japan has
been sending important reinforcements
into Manchuria. Both nations, how
ever, maintained they had no bellicose
intentions, and that their troop move
ments were mere precautionary meas
ures; Japan, it was officially said. had
to send large forces into Manchuria
Russia massed some eight or nine di-
visions because OF the unrest close to
her borders.
In the last few weeks the Russian
officials spoke quite openly about the
danger of war The Japanese said
nething that could be interpreted that
they intended to attack Russia, but has
tened to sign q truce with the Chinese
in Shanghai and are dispatching di-
vision after division into Manchuria.
The japanese troops now are reported
to have moved within some so miles
from the Siberian border.
Russian Aid Charged.
The Japanese government is reported
to be incensed against Russia because
during the last few weeks the Chinese
rebels" in Manchuria have been un-
usually active. They are better equipped
than last Fall, when the Japanese began
the invasion of that province, and ap-
parently also are better led than here
tofore. Gen Nah, Of Tsitsihar fame, Is
one Of the main leaders and has, to the
intense annoyance Of the Japanese,
seven or eight airplanes, which are
making the situation Of the japanese
troops operating in his zone decidedly
unpleasant. The japanese allege that
these airpianes are piloted by Russians
and that Russian staff officers are advis-
ing the Chinese leader.
Last Fall the japanese government
had given formal assurances to the
American Government that their troops
would not enter Chinchow; when the
general staff broke its pledge given
through the Toxic foreign ONCE, it was
explained that the occupation Of Chin
chow was vital because Marshal Chang
Hsue LANG was maintaining state
of war in Manchuria by supplying the
rebels with arms and ammunition from
Chinchow It was necessary, the gen.
eral staff explained, to remove the Chi
nese altogether from Manchurta, be-
cause otherwise "the Manchurian people
could not enjoy the fruits OF their
freedom
Situation Grows Tense.
A similar situation has arisen now.
The Russians, Toxic maintains, are
supplying the discontented elements OF
the Manchukuo republic with what is
necessary to upset the rule OF the new
ruler, Henry Pu-Yi But 1t Is much
more serious.
It was believed in well informed quar-
ters until a week or two ago that In
case of japanese aggression against
Siberia the Russians would put up only
feeble resistance and prefer to with
draw and let the japanese have their
own way rather than fight q war. The
worried over her western borders and
could not risk a war with Japan so
long as she did not know what Poland
and Rumania would do.
The French election has brought into
power the Socialists under the leader
ship of Mr. Edouard Herriot. The
leader of the French Socialists does not
like wars, and while he Is not likely TO
change frances policy regarding arma-
ments-he considers them as an insur-
ance for the future-he Is certainly not
going to encourage either Poland or
Rumania to take advantage Of the pos
sible Russian difficulties and start
trouble in Europe, He never has been
alliance with Poland. He is not likely
to denounce it, but he Is certainly not
going to help Poland should that coun-
try intend to seek conflict with the
Soviets.