The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-07-17

in the Far East, including some of Its best trained and equipped troops as well as large numbers of planes and 8 big submarine and destroyer fleet to protect Vladivostok.
 Doubtful in Japan
 It seemed doubtful that Japan would move against Russia in Si- beria without powerful forces and the reported general mobilization would give Tokyo the numbers of troops needed for this operation.
 The Japanese military plans were moving forward simultaneously with solution of the Tokyo cabinet crisis. Prince Flvnimaro Konoye was In the process of forming Q new cabinet which Is expected to be militaristic and possibly semi- dictatorship Of the Japanese armed forces.
 Shanghai reported that the Yok- ahama Specie bank is believed to have started suddenly to dispose of dollar credits, presumably in antici- patton of U. s. freezing order which would be likely in event the Japanese move north.
 The German communique-as fre- quently has been the case since start of the Russian offensive-appeare to be designed more for propaganda t-..... military purposes.
 It claimed that great successes are being prepared on the eastern front" In what 1t called "the great- est struggle In world history" in which an estimated o,0o0,000 men were said to be participating.
 The comInunique said that Russia Is throwing Its last reserves into the battle.
 Both Nations Report
 This picture of the battle front was given by Berlin and Moscow re- ports:
 Northern front-Russians report that main German effort appeared to be concentrated in the Pskov- PorShov sector where Nazi forces are attempting to drive north toward Leningrad; Germans make no new claims for this front where 1t Is in- dicated three thrusts are underway, north. from the southern end of Lake Peipus, due east across the top of the Baltic States and south from Finland.
 Central front Germans claim capture of Smolensk, an advance of 375 miles from the frontier at Brest- Litovsk in 26 days: Russians admit fighting in Smolensk area but indi- cate counter offensive to the south has pushed battle lines about 30 miles west to the Bobruisk region again.
 Southern front Germans claim capture of Chisinau, Bessarabia, yes- terday, an advance of 35 miles in 25 days, say they are pushing forward to Dniester, 10 miles distant; Rus- sians report surrender of Rumanian battalion of possibly 1000 men OF this front; both sides silent on Kiev drive.
 The arrival of German forces at Smolensk means that they have traversed about three-fifths of the distance between the German Rus sian frontier and the Soviet capital. More important 1t places them be- yond the chief Russian Qualifications in this sector and the route ahead to Moscow is said to be over rolling, open country, easy for the movement of Panzer forces.
 Far East Tension
 The intensification of the Russo German war was matched by a steady rise in far eastern tension where the Japanese were busy erect ing new cabinet which was expect ed to be along strict nationalist, militaristic lines.
 Emperor Hirohito summoned Prince Fumimaro Konoye who re- signed with his government yester- day to form new cabinet. Konoye immediately arranged to confer with military and naval chiefs.
 Japan's new military adventures appeared to be already getting un- derway. Shanghai was convinced that Japan has submitted demands of an ultimtaiye character to the French concerning Indo Chino and specifically the Cainrallh naval base.
 But there was considerable sus- pieion that the Japanese are sirnul- taneousiy preparing for action in Siberia.
 French Must Yield
 It appeared the French would be forced to yield in Indo China and that no great forces would be re- quiFed 10 force her submission.
 Meantime, it was indicated Japan Is gathering troops and material fOF possible operations against Russia, presumably at the bidding of the Germans.
 The Japanese army along the @s- berlan frontier was being strength- ened and Japanese school terms were extended two weeks 10 relieve the strain on transport systems, presumably caused by mobilization Of large numbers Of troops.
 The Royal Air Force carried out its heaviest daylight attack oG the war on Rotterdam where a2 nhips were reported sunk CT damaged. Tonnage of the shipping Mae e6ti. mated at iso0oo to iAsOoo tens md was eaid to include the a70Do-ien lfneF NoloeEan.
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