The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-10-24
SideIights on The News

Hokodate TO Tokyo, Ostaka and
Nagasaki. The Russians unques-
tionably would have sought posi-
tive proof that such a campaign
would be inaugurated and complet.
ed with success.
On the face OF our recent catas-
trophic land defeats In China, the
Russians are probably now com.
plimenting themselves that they
did not coordinate their action with
US; they chose T. drive into Prus-
STA and the Balkans. Today Mos
cow leaders may feel that had the
Allied nations commenced the ia
pan campaign, then collapsed IN
China as we did, the Russian force
in Siberia would have come under
a wholesale japanese attack in an
Axes squeeze TO keep the So
viets fighting on several fronts.
Reports are current that Russia
will allow us bases in Siberia.
find no responsible authority TO
confirm this pleasant hope. Rus
STA may want us to handle the de-
feat OF Japan without granting
bases in Siberia, Kamchatka and
Saghalln. The Soviets might, how
ever, be planning to use Siberia to
concentrate their forces on Korea
and Manchuria when they are Ger.
tain the Japs at home are Keeling
under American air and sea bonn
bardments.
Answering Question 2, will the
Soviets fight Japan, several for.
eign CORES pondents believe the
query must be qualified with will
Russia fight Japan in Manchuria?'
Three veteran correspondents
whose Judgment on Russia and the
Far East war Is excellent, have ex-
pressed interesting opinions.
A. T. Steele, Is years in the Fa-
East for the Chicago Daily News
now in India:
Russia can make the Japanese
war long or short. It's a toss up
whether the Soviets will enter the
conflict against Japan. Perhaps
IL is not $3.50, put about 51-49 N
favor OF a Russian move against
Japan, but only when Hitler has
teen smashed Russian entry into
the war would give Allied nations
bases close enough TO Manchuria,
and once Manchuria is had, it
would be a short, sharp campaign
against Japan. There remains IN
Manchuria the flower OF the Japa-
nese army which must be knocked
out before Japan can be conquer
ed. AS long as this element IS
indicated Japan will not capltu-
ate"
Henry Shapiro. for 10 years
United Press correspondent in Mos
COW told me: Russia will want 20
fight Japan and the battle-ground
would be Manchuria. The Japa-
nese at the beginning might sue
coed In taking the maritime prov
inces around Siberia, but the main
battle would be fought in Man
churia. There will BIO no prisoners
and no wounded: either you live as
a victor or die IN defeat. The bat
tie Of Manchuria will be by air,
artillery, infantry and tanks. You
and | may cover this story from
the nearest communication center.
which should be Picking"
William Henry Chamberlin, au-
thor of Red Star Over Asia:
Stains Intentions in the Far
East are a little ambiguous. /
think he might fight japan in Man
churia, after Germany is defeated.
II he sees Japan cracking up under
the blows OF British and American
air and sea power. He would inter
vene especially in Northern Man
churia. Then the question Is
whether he would ever get out. II
he saw no great loss to Russia he
would be the kind Of politician
Machiavelli would have admired,
stute with alternative policies.
This might mean keeping the
Manchurian railway from the north
ern border to the seaport OF Dali
rem"