Evening star., 1937-08-29
CHINA ''WAR" THREATENS
ONVOLVE MANY STATES
Conflict Is Brought Nearer to U. S. Than
at Any Time in Last 20 Years.
Europe May Be Drawn in.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

i b1 CONSIANIINE BROWN.
TN THE last fortnight war has been
brought nearer home than at any
time in the last 20 years.
4 The Sino-Japanese conflict-at
first regarded as a bloody local af-
fair-now promises to become a con-
nict which might involve many ma
tlons. And despite the determined
desire Of the Washington administra-
ton to avoid being drawn into the
holocaust-our military and naval
forces IN China are not fighting units.
but only police force to protect
American lives and property, declare
President Roosevelt and Secretary
Hull-an uncomfortable feeling pre-
walls in Washington these days.
The undeclared war between China
and Japan, caused by Japan's desire
to conquer the five provinces and dis
organize the progressive Nanking gov
ernment, is by way of becoming a
conflict Ito save Asia from commun-
Ism. In such an eventuality, the
same forces which have made the
spanish civil strife world problem
OF the first magnitude might come
Into play in the Far East.
What has been averted in Europe for
the last IA months-a clash between
the major powers indorsing the con-
> nlctlng PHILOSOPHERS of the totalitarian
ana the democratic states-might now
be precipitated in the Far East
Bluecher Reported in Urga.
Reliable reports have reached Wash
ington to the effect that Field Mar
shal VASTLY Bluecher, commander in
cnlef OF the Soviet forces in Siberia,
arrived on July % at Urga, the cap
1tal OF Outer Mongolia. There he met
representatives of Field Marshal
Chlang Kai-shek and discussed with
tnem the possibilities of supplying the
RANKING government with war ma
Nrlals-alrplanes, tanks, artillery, ma
chlne guns and poison gas-to be
used by Chang Kai-sheks regular
troops
Field Marshal Bluecher is an "old
Chinese" Under the assumed name
OF Gen. Calm he organized the Kuo-
mintang forces in Canton in 1922
Chang Kai-shek was at that time a
colonel serving under Gallin; the two
men became close friends. although
the present dictator of China did
not share the political views of his
Russian superior.
The foundations of the modern Chi
nese Army were laid by Bluecher, who
was compelled to give up his work for
political reasons. After Sun Vat Sens
death, Chang Kai-shek broke away
from the communistic influence and
appointed the late German general.
Van Seeckt to succeed Calm The
present regular Chinese Army Is the
result Of the effort Of these two mill
teHy men.
Msst Get Arms Abroad.
China's man power is inexhaustible.
But Tor her war paraphernalia she is
dependent On foreign markets. The
18' German-trained divisions are pro-
V1ded with modern war material. in
eluding some 500 planes, but these
supplies are reckoned to be sufficient
only Tor peace time necessities. Everv
gun, tank or airplane which is lost in
battle must be replaced from abroad,
For the time being, until a formal
declaration Of war will enable Japan
to declare a blockade of the China
coast, supplies can reach Chang Kali
shek from the usual sources-the
United States, Great Britain and
Sweden. But the day that the Toxic
government declares the whole coast a
war zone not a single shipment will
get through to China by sea.
But while the japanese can con-
troll the sea areas, Chang Kali
ahek could obtain supplies by land.
The communications between Siberia
through Outer Mongolia could be kept
, open by Chinese-Soviet cooperation.
Marshal Bluecher has commanded
the Asiatic forces of Moscow for seven
years. Under his energetic direction
the Trans-Siberian Railroad was
double-tracked, new autostrades have
been constructed and an enormous
reserve Of war material has been
stored throughout Siberia and the
Maritime Provinces Underground
concrete storehouses, on the pattern
OF the German ammunition and food
dumps, have been constructed In
many important points of the coun-
try. An air force reported variously
BY observers TO number between 75O
and 1900 planes, forms the backbone
OF the Far Eastern Soviet Armies,
Would Loan War Material.
From these concentrations Of sup
plies the Soviet government is willing
to loan the necessary war material to
the Chinese field marshal The politi-
cal differences between the Nanking
and the Moscow governments are of
little consequence for the time being.
Both are menaced by Japanese i'm
perialism.
In this light the conversations at
Orga are Of worldwide significance.
Should an agreement between Nanking
and Moscow be reached, the entire
aspect Of the Sino-Japanese conflict
will change. For the present Japan
Is not waging war against China.
The unwarranted attack against
Shanghai, the occupation of Peiping
and Tientsin and the bloody warfare
Mexico Deorades NJ