Out of the welter of fantastic reports concerning the fighting along the Khalka River, the boundary between Manchoukuo and Outer Mongolia, a number of comparatively reliable statements offers the possibility of forming some sort of idea as to what is going on. That is chiefly due to the fact that Reuters have been able to send a man to the scene, with the result that a third party account of what is happening permits of some sort of check being kept over the allegations of the two contesting parties, the Japanese-Manchoukuo troops on the one hand, and the Soviet-Outer-Mongolian forces on the other. The Khalka River is generally regarded as the boundary between Outer Mongolia and Manchoukuo, and this view is all the more justifiable as it provides an easily defined, and recognized landmark, while at the same time.the rich pasturages on either side of the river are equitably divided between the two countries, There can now be little doubt that the Mongols violated that boundary when the attractive "Nomonhan district invited their attention as 'a rich feeding place for their herds. It is not to be believed that when the incident first started it amounted to anything more than a trespass by nomads in search of good pasturage, people who know nothing about international boundaries and move freely about the country in search of grazing grounds. The Japanese-Manchoukuo troops sought to eject them, and met with a resistance which. they did not expect, since when Both sides have been recei reinforcements and a battle has been proceeding for some days within Manchoukuo territory. The latest reports suggest that the Soviet-Outer-Mongolian forces have not yet been driven from the Nomonhan hill, but ars still clinging desperately to the western slopes despite the strenuous endeavours of their enemies to eject them. On a somewhat smaller hill, the Nero Hill and in the Changchingmiao area fighting has also been proceeding, and though there are reports that the Japanese have succeeded in surrounding the Soviet-Mongols on Nero, there is also evidence that the latter forces are still being able to send reinforcements across the Khalka River at night.
There is a striking similarity between what is going on along the Manchoukuo-Outer-Mongolian border, and what occurred last year when the Japanese and Russians clash at Changkaofeng. It will be remembered that the Russians moved to the hill, which they claimed was within their territory, and which they had visited every summer, and were attacked by the Japanese. As the result of considerable fighting the Russians were ejected from the hill for a time, but when hostilities come to an end they were still in possession. In both instances the Japanese were met by fairly adequately equipped, and properly led troops with the result that they have been experiencing a type of fighting which they have not had to encounter in other parts of Asia, and it is apparent that a very grim struggle is being waged for possession of Nomonhan hill, and adjacent areas. When all allowances are made for exaggerations on both sides, honours appear up to the present to be just about even, with the Soviet-Outer-Mongols not yet ejected from Manchoukuo territory. Latest Japanese reports are to the effect that the Soviet is moving up rei forcements to the extent of 60,000 troops which may or may not be correct, though probability is lent to the allegation by reason of Soviet commitments to Outer Mongolia. If, however, that does prove to be the case, the Japanese-Manchoukuo forces are likely to be similarly strengthened, and while even then it may be possible to localize the fighting, the possibility of one side or the other suffering a severe defeat may lead to even larger numbers being employed with all the greater danger of the incident assuming the gravest dimensions.. That would obviously not be what the Japanese would desire at such a juncture as this. Heavily committed as she is in China, Japan may have sufficient troops to engage in what might turn out to be a full dress war with Russia, but it is quite obviously a venture which she would not like to be dragged into. Outer Mongolia has always attracted Japanese attention as the area from which the Russian flank in Eastern Siberia might be seriously threatened in the event of another Russo-Japanese war, but attractive as it may be from a strategical point of view this is not the time to embark upon a war the successful outcome of which is the only means by which Japan can satisfy her ambitions in this respect.
The fact, that, from a diplomatic point of view, relations between Japan and the Soviet do not appear to have worsened as a result of the fighting, suggests that both sides are determined to go great lengths to ensure that the struggle shall be localized and treated as a trifling incident, though it will probably not prove so easy of settlement as the Changkaofeng affair. There the issue was plainly one between Japan and Russia. In this instance the situation is complicated by the inclusion of the Mongols as a party on the Russian side and the Manchoukuoans with the Japanese, and while Japan may be able to ignore Manchoukuo in whatever settlement may be sought, it is by no means quite so sure that the Mongols will prove as amenable. Restriction of the fighting to that Portion of the Mongol-Manchoukuo border lying between Buir Nor and the Hingan Mountains may very well prevent the struggle developing on a large scale, but there is still a very considerable length of boundary between the two countries which has not yet been involved. It may be if either side Seeks to create counter-diversions for the purpose of relieving immediate pressures, in Which event the boundary stretching from the western shores of Buir Nor to the Siberian border might become affected. This would have the effect of involving such large bodies of men that something in the nature of major hostilities would eventuate. It is by no means sure that either aide desires such an extension, and the probabilities seem to be that if, and when the Japanese succeed in driving the invaders back across the Khalka River they will be content after that to make such arrangements as will prevent violation of the boundaries. The theory that this present incident has been precipitated by the Soviet for the purpose of assisting China is somewhat obscure. Unless something arose which necessitated the transfer of large bodies of Japanese troops from China, it is clear that whatever happens in the north can have no appreciable effect upon China's fortunes.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.