An official explanation has been ven of the reasons which compelled the Japanese to cross the Chinese Eastern Railway.
"These explanations were contain~, ed in a note which Mry Nagai, an assistant to the Japanese Foreign Minister, handed on Thursday the Soviet Charge d'Affaires Tokyo for transmission to the Soviet Government, Me, Nagai, speaking on behalf of so Government, declared that the Japanese military authori: ties ordered that no damage should be done to the railway in crossing. Moreover, be promised that go soon as the newly appointed Commande: Jof Chinese. Guards arrives at Tsitsihar and yesteres order the [Japanese will immediately evacuate Tsitethar and return South.
Tt wag pointed out, however, that no exact date could be fixed chlfor such evacuation, but Mr. Nagai expressed the opinion it would be in within four or five di 'Mr. Nagai, in conclusion, gave fan assurance' of the immutably friendly attitude of Japan to the and stressed again that Ino harm would be done to the railway.
The Japanese Ambassador t> /Moscow, Mr. Hirota, made a de~ claration in the same vein when the was received by M. Litvinoff, the Commissar for Foreign
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.