While it is not to be anticipated that anything particularly serious will arise out of the present slight tension between Soviet Russia and Manchoukuo on the one hand, and the Soviets and Japan on the other, itis Interesting to note the community of purpose evidenced between Japan and Manchoukuo. The latter finds that the Russian reply fo the Manchoukuo complaint of a Soviet Aeroplane having flown over Suifenho is "lacking faith" because M. Slavutsky denied that anything of the sort took place and consequently refuses to negotiate any further until a "more sincere reply" is received. The only sincerity apparently required is that" the Soviet authorities should admit what they ud to be untrue as a result of their own inquiries. Japan is becoming irritated, and it cipated that a" stern warning will be issued by Tokyo against alleged unfriendly acts. Of the ive. headings of complaint three involve issues between Russia and Manchoukuo alone, such as flying over Manchoukuo' territory, firing on steamers belonging to the same country by Soviet guards on the Amur, and rejection of the Japanese compromise proposal: regarding the Chinese Eastern Railway. The other two questions concern the refusal to grant a Japanese fisherman to goo Moscow, and anti Japanese campaign in ' the Soviet press. It will be noticed that the complete independence of Manchoukuo from Japan ts thus clearly demonstrated. The surmise of the "Nichi Nichi," that' Russia having concluded non-aggression pacts on her western border is able to adopt a firmer attitude in the East is probably correct, for some time past Moscow has been considerably exercised over the insecurity of the position in that area. This will undoubtedly enable the Soviet government to adopt a stronger line in the For East, and thereby, to some extent, render the general situat somewhat more critical than i has been for some time past. It is not to be expected that this will Jlead to immediate war, though, most certainly, it does mean the existence of a rather more precarious peace.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.