The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-07-23

DIOkTdIIl VIII - ff'i
in the outcome of the Europeanl
struggle-whether japan Is i'm
modified to the extent that it is
unable effectively to participate
with the axis.
The United States had two
alternatives-ei her TO help
China, thus indirectly hinder
Ing Japanese military power.
or TO embargo all trade with
Japan.
The latter holds the danger that
II might force Japan southwark tol
the Netherlands East Indies and
Malaga TO obtain oil and other raw
materials and open markets for
Japanese exports.
The United States chose the first
alternative and continues TO sup
ply Japan with lesser quantities OF
imports which are needed in an
effort TO keep the Japanese milf
tary forces begged down in the
China conflict while not commit
ting any overt act or placing too
much pressure which would bring
the Pacific crisis to a breakingI
point.
Japan In the past year confined
the China war activities TO conf
tinual hopping up operations
against guerillas in occupied areas.
campaigns against the Chinese
regulars, a tremendous aerial on
slaught against Chungking. extern
sion Of the coastal blockade orde
in an attempt to cut off Generals
simo Chang Kai--shek's suppl
lines, and attempts to disrupt m
Burma road operations which
judging from the decreased operd
tons in past few months. ha
been abandoned as impossible.
The most crushing victory
the Japanese inflicted on the
Chinese occurred In May. when
100000 japanese, including
two divisions from Manchuria.
surrounded 100000 Chinese In
southern Shansi province and
inflicted $4,000 casualties at q
cost reported TO have been
fewer than 10000 Japanese.
Military observers assert th4
campaign was 20 to so per cent
successful. since 1t gave the Jap1
anese a complete hold OF the
Chungtiao mountains and also tho
Yellow river crossings leading I'd
Shensi and Honan provinces and
wiped out some OF the best Chi
nese divisions.
The Chinese admitte the
Chungtiao mountains were evacu-
ated but later said the defeat was
not as bad as it sounded.
Shansi Control at Stake
II the Japanese consolidate their
hold IL will give them. for the first
time in the war, complete control
OF Shansi province which is the
key to the control OF north China
and also would provide a spring
board. plus protected lines Of COM
munications. for a dash across the
Yellow river into northern Honan
province and westward to Sian.
capital OF Shensi province, IL the
Japanese intended to pursue their
advance
The battle was admitted 10
have been the greatest since
the early days of the war and
the worst defeat the Chinese
had suffered since the fall of
Hankow in 1888.
The major Japanese military
operation during the year was the
bloodless conquest OF French Indo-
China. which cut off one OF Chung
kings major supply routes and
made useless thousands Of tons of
war materials and other imports
which were stored up awaiting
transportation by railway to Kun
ming from Hanoi
The occupation OF Indo-Chins
also made available 10 Japan the
French colonys annual produc-
ton Of 10000 tons OF rubber which
represents more than Japan nom-
inaliy used. The japanese also
gained tremendous quantities Of
TIN and other vital raw materials
...ssL A. ..-sg-.. "a II