EXPERTS FLOCKING IN— Are Russians: Helping Chinese Reds In Plan For Invading Formosa?

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 December 1949, Page 5

EXPERTS FLOCKING IN— Are Russians: Helping Chinese Reds In Plan For Invading Formosa?

HONG KONG, December 28 (Rec 11 a.m.).-—Russian military and technical advisers were arriving in China by the hundreds, according to a Chinese journalist, who spent eight months under Communist rule in Nanking. The journalist, Mr Chang Kuo-sin, who was United Press bureau manager in Nanking when the Communists occupied the city on April 24, has just arrived in Hong Kong. He said it appeared that Russian military advisers were assisting in planning an invasion of Formosa, which, according to his Communist informants, could be expected by the summer at the latest.

These informants- estimated that the Communists would be able to muster at least 100 plpnes and 30 warships, plus a picked force o* 180,000 troops. The warships included the former Nationalist .ships which went over to the Communists. Mr Chang said the growing Soviet influence on China was one of the most striking changes he had wit-

in Shanghai and as far south as Canton. One mission of about 72 ; Soviet railway engineers was attached to the Communist railway repair corps. Mr Chang added that.it was also reported that Russian advisers, were attached to the Health Ministry in Nanking.

nessed. He added that because of the restrictions which were placed on his movements he did not see any Russians in operation. Mr Chang said that most of the Soviet advisers, including engineers, were reported to be in Manchuria, but they had also been encountered