The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-01-07
Chinese Pour Into Burma to Threaten Jops' Right Flank
By DAVID S. WAITE Editor, Singapore Free Press Written for NEA Service

Wr1tLen TOT NEA SerVlCe
 Singapore, Jan. 1.-The organiza- ton and dispatch of Chinese army to Burma to fight beside the British under Gen. Sir Archibald Wavell in a sudden move to trap the Japs in Malaya turns the spotlight on one of the greastest weapons China possesses-almost unlimited man. power.
 It is one of the most important factors in convincing Chinese-es- peciaily those millions living in British Ma,aya, Thailand and the Netherlands East Indies-of ulti- mate victory.
 Occasionally dramatic victory in the field, such as that at Chang sha, gives the Chinese people an excuse for rejoicing and little of that much-needed evidence of the way in which victory will be gain ed. Changsha was fresh proof of the ability of the Chinese forces to ab- sorb the shock of Japanese offen- sives and to return heavy blows in counter offer sives.
 I have been discussing with some well-informed Chinese, newly ar- rived from Chungking, how China hopes to defeat the Japanese. They quoted in reply the three outstand- ing Chinese victories of the war. The first was in the battle of Taierchwang in April, 1888, and the second was in the Kunlunkwan campaign at the end of 1889. The third was at Crangsha.
 CHINESE BEGAN USING
 MECHANIZED UNITS
 The Taierchwang victory, which has long since been overshadowed by other and greater successes, de- serves to be remembered today as the first severe blow which a poorly equipped Chinese army was able to deal the Japanese. It proved that, with good strategy, the Chinese could throw back the invaders as they have done on more than one occasion since.
 The Kunlunkwan campaign, and particularly the battle of the Kun Ian Pass. provoked the first real test of China's motorized units. Tanks made their way over the pass after an artillery bombardment of the Japanese positions and following severe fighting, the battle was won. The Jauanese suffered tremendous loses but the victory was chiefly welcome in Chinese military circles as proof of the striking power Of the few mechanized units of the Chinese army.
 The Chinese celebrated the Changsha victory as proving that the Japanese are far from being able to keep open long lines of com munication when they laur oh an offensive at a considerable distance from their main bases.
 Although it is common enough to see references to the tremendous manpoWer resources of China, it is not often that figures of China's military strength can be cited. In modern warfare, in which machines often count for as much if not more than men, statistics of man. power may seem comparatively un- important. But one secret has been the formidable size of her army even when it has been poorly equipped.
 It can be stated on tn authority of the Chins War Minister, Gen eral Ho Ying-chin that China now has over 300 divisions, with five million soldiers in the field and ten million men in reserve or training behind the lines. More than 100000 guerilla troops are harrassing the Japanese forces and their communi- cations and over 100000 regular troops are operating berind the Japar csc lines. These tremendous armies are spread over a front ex- tending 2,000 miles.
 Although the time has not yet come for large scale counter-at- tacks to deal what the Chinese be- lieve will be final blow to Jap anese military power, this Chinese army is already immobilizing more than one million Japanese troops ar d causing casualties at the rate of at least 2000 daily. And there are troops to spare for the counter blow against the invaders in Ma-aya.
 The success of the Chinese re- sistance is due to the fact that the Chungkirg high command has fol- lowed tactics which have been sub stantially unchanged since the Sino- Japan ese hostilities began. China aims at prolonging the war until her enemy is exhausted, and it is time for a counter offensive that will in- f1ict upon a demoralized Japanese