The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-02-24
HAS BIGGEST FORCE
IN WAR AREA Since
HOSY|L|T|ES BEGAN
Tanks, Bombing Planes and
Armored Cars Attack Poor.
" Equipped Chinese
FRESH TROOPS MUSTERED
Infantry Division From Nippon
Combines With Veteran
Cavalry Brigade
FRESH TROOPS MUSTERED

Changchun, Manchuria, Feb. "a
R)-Japan has officially started its
military campaign to annex the rich
Chinese Province of Jehol to the jap
anese-fostered state of Manchukuo.
The most powerful japanese force
massed in Manchuria since hostilities
with the Chinese began II months
ago was being poured into eastern
Jehol Friday along two routes, about
$50 miles apart.
A modernized Japanese army, with
tanks, bombing planes and armored
cars, believed to total 10000, Is ex-
pected to raise the flag of the rising
sun In Jehol City, or Chengtefu. the
provincial capital, in anywhere from
a week to q month. Opposing this
army are 10000 poorly equipped
Chinese under several commanders.
Reports from Tungliao, starting
point Of the northern drive, said IN
infantry division. fresh from Japan,
a veteran cavalry brigade and ma
tive Manchurian force were plodding
through a SrowStorm against Chinese
concentrations Of volunteers In the
Kailu region.
Kailu region. Kailu was reported to
have fallen.
Concentrate ON Chaoyang
A big japanese force of cavalry,
infantry and artillery was directed
against Chaoyang, second largest city
of Jehol, and the shortest route to
the seat of the Chinese government
at Jehol City. These included mostly
veterans of the battle resulting in the
conquest of Shanhaikwan in early
January. They closed eastern pass
ages in the great wall Of China.
blocking the entry of more Chinese
troops into Jehol from that direction.
The sixth infantry division. from
the southern Japanese Island Of
Kyushu, was heading through the
northern blizzard with temperature
of 10 degrees below zero prevailing.
1t is commanded by 1t. Gen. Masaye-
mon Sakamoto. This and the eighth
division. commanded by 1t. Gen.
Yoshikazu Nishi. are expected to bear
the brunt Of the campaign.
With General Sakamoto's troops
was the fourth cavalry brigade under
Maj. Gen. Kennosuke Mogi, which
figured in the northern Manchuria
drive In December that sent General
Su Ping-Wen fleeing into Siberia.
Marching with the japanese Is the
army of the state of Manchukuo,
commanded by General Chang Hal
Pen. It's advance into Jehol from the
Tungliao region started early Thurs
day.
The main japanese movement on
both fronts was delayed until the
lapse at midnight Of the 24-hour ulti-
lnatum issued to the Chinese gov
eminent.
Volunteers Dispersed
Chinese volunteers were reported
encountered early Friday by Japanese
troops in the north at Molimiao, 20
miles southwest of Tungliao. They
were said to have been dispersed.
Molingiao was about half way to
Kailu, at the starting point Of the
main route from the north to Jehol
City.
Nearly 10000 fresh recruits from
Japan are in the force being dis
patched into Jehol.
Marking, the seat Of the Nationalist
government. was dazed by the de-
velopments. Government officials
there refused q japanese ultimatum
calling for the evacuation Of the en-
tire province and fears were expressed
that the hostilities might spread TO
Peiping and Tientsin. From Hankow
came advices saying that fear had
been expressed there that the Yangtse
valley also might be involved.
japanese officials at Chinchow, an.
nounced that airplanes would drop
leaflets advising evacuation Of dan
ger zones in Jehol province BY mis-
sionaries. As far as was known there
were no Americans IN the region.