RUSSIA’S POWER

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 5, 7 January 1937, Page 3

RUSSIA’S POWER

FAR EASTERN ARMY. A SWING AGAINST JAPAN, For the first year or so, titer the occupation of Manchukuo, It seemed that Japan would bo definitely too powerful for the Russian gam-sons In the Far East if hostilities broke out, but the balance of strength has now swung the other way, and the Japanese are well aware that the Russian forces are now too strong. This Is the conclusion of MajorGeneral A. C. Temperley, the London Dally Telegraph'S military correspondent, who comments on the lnoreased tension created by the GermanJapanese agreement. He points out that Japan, since the acquisition of Manchukuo, has been feverishly pushing her railways towards the western, northern and north-eastern frontiers, and has now secured the necessary depth for her protection and for the strategic development of her armies. In the case of war with Russia she will now bo able to land troops simultaneously at four ports with direct railway communication to the fan-shaped frontier in the north. Activity of Bombers. “Russia has been steadily fortifying her frontier, increasing her army in the Far East, and developing her strategic railways," says MajorGeneral Temperley. “At the same time, steps have been taken to lessen her excessive dependence upon a long ling of railway communication running near the frontier. Between Vladivostok and Moscow munition factories have been built and agriculture and stock-raising put in. hand on a large scale in order to make the Far Eastern provinces self-supporting. “Russia has now, in the eastern area, about 200,000 troops, or ten divisions, and at least 500 aircraft, though the Japanese put the figure higher. It is th-e activity of Soviet bombers operating from Vladivostok that the Japanese chiefly fear, since their principal towns are all within range. insecure Communications. “The Japanese Army has a peace strength of 17 divisions, but it would be Impossible to employ more than a portion in the north of Manchukuo. A considerable force would be necessary in Jehol and Chahar to watch China and prevent a junction of the Chinese Soviet armies and Outer Mongolia. Large force* would be required to guard the vulnerable communications through Manchukuo, where the bandits would multiply as the Japanese difficulties increased. The whole of their left flank would also need guarding. In all 100,000 would probably be required to hold Manchukuo and North China. This would seriously reduce the numbers available for the investment of Vladivostok.

“The Japanese would probably stand on the defensive elsewhere while this was being attempted. The main attack of Russia would probably be an air offensive against Japan and the seaports of Korea, combined with a thrust against tho Japanese left through Outer Mongolia and an endeavour to raise & rebellion behind the Japanese front in Manchukuo.

t "Prospeote Not Inviting.” ’ ! ‘The prospect does not seem particularly inviting for Japan. Her difficulty In the last war against Russia was that she had no real military objective. The farther she went westward into the wilds of Siberia the weaker she beoame, without gaining any corresponding military advantage. The situation Is much the same today, except that she is now in a. position to attack Vladivostoclc. This would bo a most co-stly and difficult operation. Even if Japan succeeded she would not break the Russian resistance. The prospects would, of course, be changed if Russia was engaged in a war in Europe at the same time, but she Is stronger in the Far East at the moment than she haß ever been, and has made great efforts to prepare for war on two fronts by making her eastern front tq some ex-* taut aalf-aiinnnrtlng."