Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-08-17
Bleucher
Continued From First Page J

between the Soviet government and
the Spanish loyalists.
The Russian officer is we'll known
IN China, where soon after the World
War under the name of Gen. Galine
he reorganized the Chinese Army.
At the present moment, according to
reports received here, he has offered
to supply the Chinese National Army
with airplanes, tanks, guns, poison
gas and ammunition.
The Soviet Siberian force is an in
dependent unit. For the last six
years, under the energetic leadership
Of Bluecher, 1t has become a formid-
able force, well-supplied with all the
most up-to-date war paraphernalia.
1t could supply China from its enor-
NOUS stores in Siberia with almost
any kind Of war material it needed.
These would be replaced in short
time with new materials, which can
reach Vladivostok or other centers
from the Russian factories.
Should these reports prove correct
there IS no doubt that the Sino-
Japanese conflict might expand into
an international conflagration.
Japan Can't Quit Now.
1t Is too late for a proud nation
like Japan to withdraw now, even
though her leaders might realize that
they are biting of more than they can
chew.
The reply to the support which the
Moscow government may be ready to
extend to China will be an outcry
from Japan and Germany that the
Soviet, after having succeeded in
causing an international conflict
around Spain. is now spreading its
sphere of activities into the Far East.
Thus, the Sino-Japanese conflict,
which is considered by many chan
cellories as a war for territorial ex-
pansion. will enter. like the Spanish
civil war, into the domain Of the
struggle between two political phi
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and fascism.
The fact that last Fall Japan and
Germany signed an alliance against
communism must not be overlooked,
On the basis of that treaty, the jap
anese could demand assistance from
Berlin.
In the event that this new move
by the o. s. S. R. is confirmed, Japan
will have to fight for its life, and
will in all likelihood be supported by
the Reich.
War Not Popular in Japan.
The war against China Is not par
ticularly popular in Japan despite the
outward signs of enthusiasm on the
part OF the population AS long as
the campaign appeared to be one O,
military marches to which the Japa-
nese people have been accustomed
since 1881, they were in favor of it.
they believed that, like the conquest
OF Manchuria, this would be a short
and swift campaign Consequently
the new taxes and the increased cost
OF living would be only temporary
Once Northern China becomes a part
OF Japan, the people we're told by the
government propagandists, an era OF
prosperity as never seen before in
Japan would follow.
But the problem will become COM
pietely different If Chang Kai-shek
with Soviet support. is able to offer
determined resistance. Japan is not
able, because of her financial and eco
nomic situation, to wage alone a wa,
OF long duration. Japan, having te
night with its back to the wall. will
not hesitate to request GermaE's as
sHtance IN her new tight aeains,
communism in the Far East" Over
night the Toxic government will be-
come the defender of Jaw and order
The Implication of Russia's stepping
into the Far Eastern conflict are OF
momentous Importance. It NAV
mean general conhagration which
VIII extend from the Pacific to the
Atlantic; from the Far East tn E,,rone