So far as is known the disposition of the Russian forces is roughly as follows:—The principal concentration is in the vicinity of Irkutsk, where are also the headquarters. This is so far from the border that an invasion in real strength could not be launched without some delay moving up troops. On the other and the Russians have concentrated a crack division, the Pacific Army, in the region round Viadivostok, and these troops are believed capable of opening a serious offense ive if need be. It is not considered that, the other Soviet troops on the horder are sufficiently strong to start a real invasion by themselves.
Between the forees on both sides!
a no man's land" varying from mile in width to very much more some places. There have been clashed between patrols on this strip' of territory which may have been exaggerated into battles, The effect of these clashes and the raids by Soviet forces has been to cause the almost complete evacuation of Man-choli. by civilians. "Panies in Man-chub" are-dovbtfol, as there are few besides: the military left in the city.
Friday and also the attack by some Mongolian irregulars on villages east of Hailar on the same day have struck terror into the hearts of the Chinese along the western section of the Chinese Eastern Railway, with the result that refugees from Mancchuli, Hailar and other stations in western Manchuli are pouring into Harbin, The Chinese Eastern Railway Ad: ministration is despatching scores of carriages to Manchuli to accom modate refugees, Pogranichnaya despatch reports a clash between Chine: Russian troops at five Railway about 31 miles northwest of Pogranichnaya (Suifenho), After a brief exchange of firing, the despatch adds, the Russians retired.—Reuter, A Rus:
Advance Mukden, Aug, 17. official _commungué from General Wan Fu-lin reports that 10,000 Russian troops with machineguns and 30 field guns crossed the border yesterday on both sides of Manchuli.
Their object is evidently Jalainor. Wireless. communication with Manchuli is still working—Reuter.
Mukden Sends More Troops Tokyo, Aug. 17.
According to a message from Mukden, itis reported that Marshal Chang Heueh-liang, following military council there, issued an order for the mobilization of four additional infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade and air units for service on the border, The troops ordered for mobiliza~ tion total 20,000" of the Mukden regular army at present stationed fon. the Peking-Mukden Railway, below Chinchovefu.
A portion of these troops has bboen ordered in the direction of,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.