RUSSIA-CHINA: Imposing Peace

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to put an absolute embargo on China tea —of which $7,500,000 worth was stewed in Soviet samovars last year. The few U. S. correspondents "on the spot" at Harbin and Mukden, last week, heard that Soviet planes were dropping occasional bombs along the Siberian-Manchurian frontier, 400 miles away, and also that six armored Russian trains were drawn up athwart the frontier city of Manchuli. When Chinese riflemen sniped at the Russian planes, a few pieces of Soviet field artillery were unlimbered and warning shells whined across the border, to fall (intentionally) into empty fields.

Japan throughout the week showed some reluctance to cooperate with the other Great Powers in applying diplomatic peace pressure. Plainly Prime Minister Hamaguchi would have preferred the role of Chief Mediator assumed, however modestly, by Statesman Stimson.

Repercussions of the Russo-Chinese crisis were felt even at Sam W. Gumpertz's Chinese Chamber of Horrors ("Eden Musée") on Coney Island. In gruesome attitudes of opium smoking, flagellation and beheading, Mr. Gumpertz's waxworks Chinamen thrill goggle-eyed gumchewers. Last week Chinese Consul-General Samuel Sung Young, fearing that such exhibits might prejudice China's case in the U. S., appealed against Mr. Gumpertz to Manhattan's Mayor Walker who promised to investigate. Mr. Gumpertz said the most he would do would be to hang up NOW ABOLISHED signs.