Evening star., 1933-01-28
BY VICTOR KEEN.

mains ManchukuO'S paramount QOmeS-
tic problem. although the Japanese
Kwantung forces say that during the
last six months they have reduced the
total number of brigands by more than
half.
Lieut.. Gen. Kuniaki Koiso, chief OF
staff of the Japanese troops in Man
churia. in an interview today confident
ly predicted that Japan's campaign
against banditry in Manchukuo would
be completed by the middle of 1888 or
at the latest by the end of the year.
Gen. Koiso stated that when the Japa-
nese drive against bandits started IN
August of this year the total number OF
outlaws and anti-Manchukuo troops
tas estimated at 100000. The figure
\ &oU, according to his estimates, has
been reduced to 10000
North Manchuria, the japanese CHIEF
of staff informed me, is now compara-
lively cleared of enemy forces. Al the
beginning of November bandits ana
anti-Manchukuo soldiers in Heilung-
kiang province were estimated at 4ooOo.
Gen. Su Ping-wen, who was in COM
mand of the Chinese railways guards
stationed along the Chinese Eastern
Railway west of Harbin, revOlted against
the Manchukuo authorities on Septem-
Der 27.
Blockade Made Effective.
From that date the anti-Manchukuo
Railway guards were able to blockade
the western section Of the Chinese
Eastern Railway until December I, when
Gen. Su and about 1000 OF his troops
retreated across the Soviet border near
Manchun Following the defeat OF Gen.
Su Ping-wen and the scattering OF
large bandit forces, many OF which
drifted into Western Kirin province,
Gen. Koiso estimates that there are now
only about 10000 bandits in Heilung-
kiang province.
In Kirin province where the bandits
and anti-Manchukuo soldiery are eStl-
mated at 20 900, there is a strong con-
Centration of former Kirin troops along
the eastern frontier These antl-Man-
chukuo troops. Gen. Koiso pointed out
are better equipped than the banolts
and will accordingly be more dl1ncuit
to pacify. A campaign Will be unoer-
taken against them next year.
The number of bandits In Fengtien
province is believed to be approximately
81 900. units of Gen. lannon's I'd Dl-
vision began a bandit drive on De-
cernber l3 in the triangular region
wing between the Mukden- Antung
branch of the South Manchurta Rail-
vav and the main line between Mukoen
and Dairen Approximately l0,00O
brigands are supposed to be operating
in this area, the rest OF the total 1or
Fengtien province making their neao.
quarters in the Liao River Valley. wnlcn
is west of the Mukden-Dairen Railway
line. Gen. Koiso predicted that the
present campaign in which the forces
q the I'd Division are participating Will
be completed by the end of this month.
Propaganda Aids Drive.
Gen. Koiso pointed out that Japan's
military operations against bandlts are
being accompanied by an intensive po-
litical and propaganda campaign IN the
occupied areas. Leaflets explaining the
ideals of the Manchukuo government
are dropped from military planes and
the towns and villages are placarded
with propaganda posters.
Illustrated posters are extensively
used, not only because OF their vlvld
apreal to the eye. but also because
many of the Manchukuo farmers can
read only the simplest Chinese char-
acters.
obtained at military headquarters
In Hsinking (Changchun) a set OF nine
illustrated posters which have been dis
tributed throughout Manchukuo. Inc
first depicted a peaceful farm scene
Standing in front of farm house was
a Manchukuo farmer and his two chill
dren. each waving Manchukuo nag
In the upper left-hand corner SQUAD
of japanese soldiers were pursuing a
group of fleeing bandits. The Chmese
said Long live the Manchukuo peo-
pie in peace and prosperity"
A second poster showed japanese
soldier clasping the hand OF a Chinese
who was displaying the new Manchukuo
flag. With the other hand the soldier
was crushing two armed bandits.
A third poster portrayed Chinese
farmer shaking hands with Japanese
soldier. The caption said: THANK you
for Kidding this region of bandits and
Chinese volunteers. Now we can CO.
operate for the good of the country :,
An immense serpent was represented
IN a fourth poster. swallowing Chinese
farmer and crushing three others. An
avenging sword, typifying the Japanese
military, was extended above the ser
pent's head.
Another poster, widely distributed in
districts where farmers or villagers were
SUSPECTED of sheltering bandits, shows a
Japanese soldier striking Chinese
farmer who is attempting to hide a
group Of bandits The other hall OF
the poster pictures Japanese soldier
conpratulating a Chinese farmer who
is repelling three bandits. The caption
states: "The japanese soldier is the
friend of the Chinese who oppose
banditry. but he will treat the farmer
who shelters bandits as an enemy
Paint Farmers as Happy.
Still another poster pictures Chang
Hsueh- -liang peeping through keynote
and gazing anxiously at parade OF
Chinese peasants and Manchukuo SOL
Aiery who are conspicuously displaying
the Manchukuo flag. Chang Kai-shek
is plucking at the young marshals
coattails and advising him to give up
hope of regaining his lost territory.
The next major military campaign
In Manchuria will in all likehnood De
against Jehol province. All military
and civil officials with whom talked
In the Manchukuo capital declared that
Jehol is regarded as part Of the new
state of Manchukuo and that the prov
ince must eventually be unified In
asmuch as the Jehol governor ana MIL
itary war lord, Gen. Tang Yu-lln, mas
shown no indications Of sharing the
destiny of Manchukuo. unif1cation can
only be accomplished by force at arms.
The japanese military estimate that
% O00 Chinese volunteer troops are now
stationed along the Jehol border. This
number does not include the regular
Jehol troops under the command OF
Tang Yu-lin. The volunteers. accord
ing to the Japanese military, are under
Chang Hsueh-liang's orders and are
receiving military supplies from him.
have heard the number of Japanese
troops in Manchuria estimated by
Chinese as high as 100000, but the
total figure given by Gen. Koiso is
$1,000, including regulars. railway
guard battalions and gendarmes: The
units include the l4th and 10th d.
visions, a mixed brigade. part OF the
I'd Division and six railway guard bat
talions. The I'd Division will shortly
be relieved by the 9Th Division. which
Is being sent from Japan.
Gen. Koiso informed me that the
Japanese are not planning campaign
against Jehol for the present, Unless