Evening star., 1942-06-18
laps Reinforcing
Air Strength in
China and Burma
Fresh Nipponese Advance
Menoces Inland Boses
In Fukien Province
BY tt. Associated Press.

CHUNSJh1NJ, June lo.-Wnlle
informed sources here believe the
Japanese may attack Russian
Siberia before the summer is
over, the enemy now is concen-
trating on reinforcement of his
air strength in the China and
Burma theaterS.
Army intelligence reports received
here indicated today that the jap
anese now have 500 planes in Burma
and have increased the number
actually in China to 800. with a
fresh influx Of planes at Canton and
Hankow.
The aerial preparations of the
foe gave weight to indications that
the Japanese would intensity their
efforts to tighten the Gordon around
the still free parts of Southern
China and thereby strangle Chung
king. The present nutcracker Often
Sive in the Eastern China provinces
Of Chekiang and kiangsi Is an i'm
portant part of these efforts.
Hold on Railway Narrowed.
On the Chekiang- -Kiangsi front
the Chinese hold on the important
railway looping through the two
provinces has been narrowed to less
than so miles. it appeared tonight
on the basis of the Chinese high
command communique.
The Japanese column from the
west had reached the railway town
of Kweiki by a detour, while forces
from the east continued their ad-
vance from Shanghai, the COM
munique said.
Informed sources here, discussing
prospects of a Japanese attack on
eaSternmoSt Russia said the Jap
anese had taken certain preparatory
steps. but were leaving one. re-
enforcement of the air force in Man
chukuo. to the very last There was
no confirmation of rumors that the
Japanese had shifted many planes
from Southeastern Asia and oc-
cupied China to Manchukuo.
The Chinese informants said.
however. that reinforcement of
japanese air power in Manchukuo
could be effected easily at the 1lth
hour when the Japanese are ready
to launch an attack. on Siberia.
Awaiting such reinforcements are
large numbers of modern airdromes.
Kwantung Army Restored.
Evidence that the Japanese hope
to take crack at Siberia some day
is seen In the report that they have
restored the Kwantung Army in
Manchukuo to its full strength of 80
divisions-about 60O.O 900 men-by re-
turning divisions withdrawn for the
Southwest Pacific campaigns.
Inc enemy's recent attacks on
Midway and the Aleutian Islands
are interpreted as preparatory to
Siberian move. The japanese, it
Is said, had hoped to eliminate a
threat to what would be the rear of
an attack on Siberia. But the JAP
anese failure in those areas will
not necessarily delay an attack on
Siberia. the Chinese say. The main
factor is doubt over the course of
the Russian war.
Last summer the japanese were
believed to have promised an attack
on Siberia the moment the Ger
mans captured Moscow. Moscow
never fell. So long as the Russian
defenses stand up. Japan is be-
lieved likely to delay her Siberian
plans.
New Menace to Fukien.
A japanese task force has supple
mented the pincer offensive along
the Chekiang- railway with
an 8-mile drive southwark from
kwangfeng which the Chinese in
terpreted as threat to their inland
bases in Fukien province.
Kwangfeng lies in Eastern Kiang-
81, "a miles north of the border of
Fukien-in which the japanese have
long occupied the port of Annoy and
have been trying unsuccessfully to
seize footholds near Foochow-and
II miles northeast of Shanghai. an
important railway station won by
the invaders Monday.
Chinese Army spokesman an
nounced the operation from Kwang-
feng. saying the task force was
spearhead of an army estimated at
100000 men which had pushed into
Kiangsi from Chekiang.
The spokesman admitted the in
vaders from the east we're attempt
ing to push beyond Shanghai while
the eastbound formation crossed a
Sin River tributary in its march
along the tracks.
China Steps Up Pressure.
The Chinese increased pressure
on outposts screening Nanchang,
Kiangsi Province capital, into which
the japanese were pouring REIN
forcements.
The japanese also were reported
reinforcing their divisions in Kwang-
tung, southernmost of China's prov
inces, for a renewed drive north
ward from Canton toward the gen.