The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-07-22
WILL PROTECT
MANCHUKU0,
RUSSIA TOLD
Tension Mounts As Russia
Sends Requirements
TO Disputed Point
MOSCOW REJECTING
JAP BORDER CLAIM

TOKYO, July %. (UP)-Ja-
pan, demanding the withdrawal Of
Soviet troops from the disputed
Manchukuo border territory today
prepared to take steps, if neces-
sary, and considers she has right
to act as protector of Manchukuo,
foreign office spokesman de-
clared.
Russia must assume complete
responsibility for what may hap
pen, he added.
Formal japanese threats to re-
sort to arms to force Soviet troops
to withdraw from the disputed
Changkufeng area on the Siberian
Manchukuo frontier today brought
Japan and Russia close to hostili-
ties.
Japan is naturally in a position
to take the necessary steps be-
cause she is responsible for the
defense of Manrhukuo, the spokes-
man said.
Reiterating that the hill is in
Manchukuan territory, the spokes-
man cited the fact that regular
Manchu religious ceremonies are
held there every June and Sep
TENDER. He also recalled recent
Soviet assertions favoring main
tenance of the border status quo.
With regard to the strain in re-
lations, the spokesman said:
even under such circumstances,
Manchukuo and Japan have
watched and waited patiently,
hoping that the Soviets would be
reasonable in dealing with the
case.
However, Japan herewith de-
clares her readiness to take the
necessary steps and proclaims her
right to take such measures"
The spokesman asserted the
Japanese protest offers a reason
able proposal for restoration of
the status quo and therefore the
Soviet responsibility is grave be-
cause Maxim Litvinov, foreign
commissar, refused to listen to
the Japanese proposal.
Prior to the spokesman's state"
ment, the cabinet met to consider
Russia's rejection of the japanese
demand for withdrawal.
AS the cabinet met, Domei
news agency dispatch from the
frontier asserted that five Russian
destroyers had entered Possiet
bay, near the area in dispute, and
that Russia was continuing to re-
inforce her troops there.
1t was reported that the cabinet
was considering the possibility of
new displomatic approach. In
formants added. however, that the
exact nature of any move had not
been determined.
Already engaged in major
war with China, now in its 18th
month, the Japanese were con
fronted with a direct challenge
from Moscow to make good on
their threat to drive Russian
troops from occupation Of Chang
kufeng.
Japan insists that Changkufeng,
a militarily important hill, is in
Manchukuo territory while the
Soviet foreign office asserts with
equal determination that it is in
Siberia and that Russian troops
erecting Notifications there will
not withdraw.
Amidst mounting tension Japa-
nese press reports said the Soviet
forces, believed to total 800 at
Changkufeng, were being rein
forced by artillery and aviation
units.
The Nagoya Shimbunsha and
the Fukuoka Nichi Nichi publish
ed reports that the Soviet Far
Eastern army had assembled $50
airplanes just across the border
from Changkufeng.
Newspapers prominently pub
lished unconfirmed reports of ac-
celebrated Russian troop activity
in the frontier area and of the
the arrival of Russian warships in
Possiet bay, nearest point on the
coast to Changkufeng and not far
from Vladivostok.
Observers feared that in view
of the Moscow refusal to with
draw the Russian troops and So
Wet Foreign Commissar Maxim
Litvinov's warning that "threats
and intimidation cannot find
a successful application in
Moscow" the japanese would at
tack the Soviet positions at Chang
kufeng.