INSIDE CHINA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 267, 10 November 1937, Page 6

INSIDE CHINA.

PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT

RUSSIA AND MONGOLIA. (By ARPAD SZTf.ETVARY.) While international attention is being vmeentrated in the Sino-Ja panese fighting around Shanghai, developments of far more vital import are taking place on the borders of the Chinese Enipi-e. It is these developments which, far mere than tie Shanghai venture, arc likely to draw in at least one European Power. In the Manchurian affair Japan made a feint at Shanghai so as to distract attention and allow her to consolidate her position in the North. The ruse succeeded, and the regular troops of the Central Chinese Government were kept engaired at Shanghai in the defence of Nanking, their capital. In the meanwhile, the Manchurian troops, through tlie bribery of most of their senior officers by the Japanese, put up little resistance. The provincial war lords, still jealous of one another, held out of the fray, and the Japanese were able to do more or h>ss as they liked in the Xorth. Tn the present assault on China the Japanese adopted the same ruse, so confident were they that an attack on Shanghai would keep Marshal Chiang Kai-shek's regulars busy while they dealt as they pleased with the rabble of provincial troops. One thing the Japanese had failed to sense —the growing unity of China. They also failed to realise that the Chinese were, preparing themselves, with foreign aid, for another Japanese attack on tlieir country. In the general staff colleges and military academies a blend of modern military tactics and ancient Chinese war strategy was being taught. One of the chief points in this school of military thought was the adaptation of the old Chinese principle of engaging an attacking enemy on as many fronts as possible simultaneously and fighting retreating battles until the invader is drawn deep into the vast country, where far from his bases he can be dealt with almost at convenience. That is what Is going on now. While Shanghai engages file world's attention the Chinese elsewhere are enticing the Japanese deeper and deeper into tlieir country, and the nearer the Japanese are drawn in isolated units to the borders of Outer Mongolia, Tibet and Sinkiang (Chinese Turkestan) the more critical will their position become, that is, of course, unless the Chinese generals succumb to briberv.

Inner Mongolia. Tn the case of Inner Mongolia, declared "independent" by tlie Japanese a few days ago, the situation in complicated l>v internal politics and the peculiarities of the Mongol-Chinese mind, which the Japanese, like other foreigners, cannot understand. Prince Teh, who has been appointed head of the new "State" by the Japanese, is in reality pro-Chinese, but his dream is an Empire of all the Mongols in alliance with China rather than tutelage under China. To pain his end he has flirted simultaneously with China, Russia and Japan. In their dealings with him the Russians relied on diplomacy. The Japanese relied on force, and a few years ago their troop* overran most of Inner Mongolia. Tlie Japanese suspected Prince Teh of having dealings with China and Rt.ssia at tlie same time as with themselves, but they dared not depose him from his position of authority over the Mongols for fear [that such an action would cause tlie natives to revolt and attack the Japanese arniv of occupation. They therefore decided to make what use they could of him, but to attempt to weaken hi* position to the point of vassalage at the same time. Through an alliance with (ieneral Li. a pro-Mancliukuoan Mongol, the Japanese have placed Prince Teh in such a precarious position that any false move 011 his part would 1h» suicidal. Russian-trained Allies. Prince Teh has now been appointed head of the new Japanese puppet State, but that does not mean that fh-a Japanese have gained permanent dominance. The Mongo]-('liinese mind thinks a very long way ahead, and it is more than probable that Prince Teh sees in his new appointment an opportunity to consolidate his position over the Mongols, so that if the Chinese succeed in their tactics against the Japanese he will be better able to strike at the Japanese when the time is rij>e. There is 110 doubt that if that time ever does arrive the Outer Mongolians will come to the aid of Prince Teh. Already contingent after contingent of Russian-trained "Red"' Mongolian cavalry have crossed the border into China.