Harbin, June 23.
The old question of navigation on the Amur has again cropped up, owing to no agreement having been reached between the U.S.SR. and Manchoukuo, and now news has come to hand of an engagement on thát river near Pojarkovo, it being alleged that Soviet gunboats fired on the Manchoukuo patrol boats, which were navigating the northern channel On the Soviet side of the river.
Pojarkovo has always been a moot point as the water in the south channel at this point, is very seldom Yeep enough to permit of vessels passing.
Those who have travelled up and down the Amur, know very well that at this point, they always used to pass so close to the Russian side. that it was possible to throw a stone on the river bank, vessels of more than three feet draught, not being able to navigate the southern channel, With no agreement on the subject of navigation, it seems. that the Soviet government refuse to permit Manchoukuoan, and more particularly Japanese vessels, to use the northern channel, and naturally, if they do so, they run the risk of being fired at by Soviet gunboats.
The Japanese are angered because they are not allowed to use the northern channel, and thus are unable to send vessels from the Sungari up the Amur to Sakhalen, but considering that the right of way along this channel is indispensable for Manchoukuo, would it not be better to make some concession on the point, rather than deliberately force the passage, thus compelling the Soviet to use force, or else place themselves under the impression of showing weakness, if they were to permit its use by Manchoukuoan and Japanese ships. The firmness of the Soviet side will probably result in the Japanese coming to terms quicker on the matter of navigation of the Amur.
From the eastern -frontier news comes in of clashes between the local troops and the Soviet, and in almost all cases, it may safely be said that these clashes occur because the two sides have different views as to where the frontier line actually runs,"
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.