The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1938. The Japanese In China

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1938, Page 6

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST”

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1938. The Japanese In China

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NIOWS that the Japanese propose taking steps to cult off the How of arms into Chinn Hi rough French luclo-Chiua suggests that although the Japanese now control all the important cities and principal ports of China, and have a tight grip on commerce and industry, the resistant je of the Chinese lias by no means ceased. It does not appear to be a particularly well organised resistance, but it is probably very annoying, and its very existence suggests that the conquest of China., in the fullest and most effective sense, is going to prove a longer and more difficult task that the Japanese ever imagined.

Their latest proposal is to inarch on the city of Nanning, capital of the Kwang-si Province. Nanning lies only about 100 miles from the border of French Indo-China, and is apparently the distributing centre for supplies of arms and war material arriving in large quantities from French territory. From Canton, where the main Japanese forces in the South of China are now operating, to Nanning, is a distance of over 300 miles. In making this advance, the Japanese will have the advantage of their superior discipline and military technique, and of their overwhelmingly superior arillery, which apparently has been one of the decisive factors in the war. But they will suffer casualties at the hands of the Chinese machine-gunners, who are reported to be the most efficient branch of the Chinese armies. Also, the Japanese will have to contend with destroyed bridges and other obstacles, and in advancing to Nanning they will lengthen their lines of communication exposing them to flank attacks. These are factors which will, it, seems, have a pronounced effect on the future progress of the war, and, while so far, things have gone well, at least on the surface, witli the Japanese cause, it .seems certain that the territory already won will not be held unless heavily garrisoned. Chiang Kai-shek, the greats Chinese military leader, is reported to be pursuing a deliberate plan to lead the Japanese invaders further and further into the west, where eventually lie may attack them piecemeal fashion. There, too, lie is reported to be organising arms factories in cities far remote from the present zone of Japanese activity. , Geographically, of course, the Japanese are only on the fringe of China. They have taken the great ports and industrial centres, but in the western provinces millions of Chinese are as yet unaffected by the war. There the armies of the numerous local war lords, many of them under Soviet influence, and, assisted by Russia, are as yet intact. Previously these Red leaders and Chiang Kai-shek were at loggerheads, but now they are unified to frustrate the common enemy, and if the generalissimo makes a stand in the west he will have the Red armies to assist him.

The Japanese are probably anticipating all this by deciding to march on Nanning, and cut off the supply of war material, from French territory. But other methods of obtaining it will probably be found. It is significant that both the United States and Britain are _ about to extend substantial, credits to China. This is a reprisal against Japanese interference with the commercial interests of those countries in China. Actual war material is not provided for in the credits, but the provision! of such material as motor trucks and petrol should assist the Chinese considerably. Obviously, Japan will be occupied in China for some time to come. From a selfish viewpoint, this is good news to those countries which might be marked out for Japanese attention in the event of another world war. .