Harbin, Oct. 8.
When the official news reached Harbin that China had broken off relations with the Russian representatives the local Russian population did not actually know what was in store for them, All those who belong to the Left Group expressed satisfaction that the Russian ulster at Peking and the consul China were no longer to be recognized, for they have got it into their heads that all of these officials are reactionaries and monarchists. It was, therefore, with little concern that they read the official announcement of the Russian Consul here that the Consulate was closed, for most Russians in Harbin rarely have anything to do with their own Consulate except in cases when they are mixed up with other nationals, The bomb, however, burst on the Ist. instant the District Court was surrounded by Chinese soldiers and the Court officials ordered to hand over all documents to the Chinese authorities. This act and the way it was carried out has absolutely staggered all Russians, irrespective of their political pretensions, and created a state of chaos in their midst. All the local newspapers published a detailed account of what actually took place at the Russian Courts and to put it mildly, the Chinese authorities' mode of procedure was very uncouth, On the morning in question a criminal case against two Russians _was to be heard, a telephone message was sent to the prison to bring the men to Court, but a reply was received to the effect that the Chief of Police had given orders that they were not to be taken from the prison. The judges and other high court officials then had a consultation as to what measures they should take in order to secure the independence of the Courts.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.