Under Soviet Auspices west Ov" Own Comtsrowonrt Harbin, Feb. 23.
A foreigner who has been making a trip through Mongolia and who has Sust returned here from Urga, gives much new and interesting informa: tion on what 1s going on in that country.
He states that the whole of Outer Mongolia is preparing for war, and that this fact exposes the plans which Soviet Russia is now carrying out, The Soviet Union has lately commenced to strengthen and arm the entire district of outer Mongolia at Beat speed. Camel transport which used to be met at every step in former days has almost entirely Aisappeared, being replaced by mobiles, the most of which are loaded with military supplies. At the same time all the high roads in the country are being put in perfect order, both the main and the branch roads, The high road from Kalga to: Urga which is in the sphere of the Soviet influence has been put in such order that everything is in perfect condition, bridges having been built where this was found necessary and all ballasting of the road strengthened, to enable heavy transport to pass over it, In former days this stretch of highway was often under' repair, but at the present time it is in such perfect state that. the heaviest trafic can be passed over it at all times of the year, Three gasoline stations have been constructed on this road from which motor trucks can get their supplies, and at one of them there te a work shop and a garage, where reserve motor trucks are Kept ready for use, and where there is also a radio star 'Aerodromes and landing places for Aeroplanes are to be found to the side' of the main road, At all the stopping stations alony this road not less than $0 men have been placed as guards, while the town Urga has been altered into military stratogle centre.
The impression is created from a general view that Urea is on a frontier zone, the eye being struck with the number of uniforms worn, civilian clothes being seldom seen, Abou! 00 kilometres. from. Urga a ood arsenal has been constructed, Which Is connected with the town by macadamized read, where quantities of cartridges gan be produced daily. The arsenal has also largo workshops for the repair of all kinds of arms, rels of cement, but as no person /permitied to come near this highway {Js not known what is being done Large quantities of military supplies, including cases of rites, machine guns' and cartridges are being transported by this road every day, these cargos being accompanied by a convoy' of troops and sometimes of armoured cars.
In view of the danger that in case of war the Mongolian district will be dificult to defend and hold, " chain of strong fortifications has been constructed along the trans-Batkal frontier in the Irkutsk Government. AD-for parently this will be the second line] of defence, if it is impossible to hold the first, and from all the above it will be seen' that the USSR. is strengthening herself in every direction and [preparing for war.
Since the incident on the Mongol-fan frontiers, which occurred a couple of weeks ago, it has been almost impossible to get any information as the general situation in that part of the country.
The Habarovsk radio on two occasions has broadcast news regarding] Severe fighting on the frontiers, but whether this Is absolutely correct oF nol, cannot be ascertained here, and 48 more than probable that the Har-[bin foreign residents will get the firs information on matters concerning the frontier from European newspapers.
So little is known regarding what may be going on as regards the fro ler, that the public of Harbin are carrying on their business without any heed of possible complication, trade in general having, if anything, slightly improved during the last couple of months, and prices on many commodities increased.
The authorities have, however, pub-shed 'a statement that no person is to be permitted to migrate to the distelet Known as "Three Rivers Settlement" which Is situated to the north of the Angun, where it falls into the Amur, and where most of the inhabitants are of Russian nationality. Even residents of that district have now to get special visas from the Hslngkiang authorities to enable them to return to their homes, if they have been making a visit to Harbin or to other centres of Manchoukuo.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.