"SECRET WAR"

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 10, 12 July 1939, Page 11

"SECRET WAR"

JAPAN AND RUSSIA

THE RECENT FIGHTING

LONDON, July 5,

The "secret little war," on the border between Outer Mongolia and Manchukuo near Lake Buir, has developed into a large-scale battle. The fighting, which is really between Soviet and Japanese forces, has now been going on for seven weeks.

The impression is gained that a Mongolian force, several thousand strong, with tanks and field and anti-aircraft artillery, supported by many aeroplanes, occupied positions in the far west of Manchukuo early in June. The Japanese began an attempt to drive them out, and found themselves faced with well-constructed defences.

The Tokio correspondent of the "Daily Mail" says that Japan's intention is the "utter annihilation of the Soviet and Mongolian troops who recently invaded Manchukuo." Japanese in field dispatches claim to have surrounded 4000 Mongolians and to be closing in on them. The Japanese are rushing troops to Lake Buir from China, the Shanghai correspondent of the "Daily Herald" reports. Five train loads of infantry and large quantities of tanks and artillery have passed through Tientsin. It is believed, he says, that Japan also intends to transfer a large section of the North China garrisons to Lake Buir.

Japanese reports indicate that three divisions of Mongolians a/c in action.