Evening star., 1950-07-05
u. 5. 7th Fleet Blocks
Chinese Red Armies
Largest Offensive
By Albert RovenhoIt
Foreign Correspondent Of The Siar ond
the Chicago Daily News

HONG KONG, July 5.-The
United States 7th Fleet now in
Formosa Strait is blocking the
path of the largest offensive yet
mounted by the Chinese Red
armies.
Chinese Communist leaders in
Peiping have not yet indicated
clearly whether they plan to con-
tinue preparations for assault on
Formosa. However, if the Chinese
Communists should attempt in
vasion of Formosa now despite
American intervention the result
ing fracas would make a sideshow
OF the Korean civil war.
Indications are the Chinese
Communist central peoples gov
ernment in Peiping may make a
momentous decision within the
next few weeks. It is believed
they will only do so after careful
consultation with the Russians
with whom the Chinese Reds have
a mutual defense and alliance
treaty.
Committed to Liberation"
The Chinese Communists are
deeply committed politically and
militarily to liberation of For
mosa." Communist Premier For
eign Minister Chou En-lai charged
two days ago that the United
States 7th Fleet was guilty of
armed aggression against the
territory of China and violation
of the United Nations Charter"
This is but the latest indication
OF the Importance the Commu-
nists attach to Formosa.
Ever since the Nationa.ists were
driven off the mainland last fall
the Communists have aimed at
the invasion of Formosa as the
final and necessary triumph Of
their revolution. Invasion of For
nosa is considered essential by
the Communists because Chang
Kai-shek and his regime are
refuging there. claiming to be the
government of China.
To conquer Formosa the Chi
nese Communists in the last eight
months have made their most ex-
tensive military preparations for
single offensive to date. They
have also enlisted the advice of
numerous Soviet technicians as
well as supply of Russian jet and
other airplanes, plus other mill
tary material.
Shipping Being Modified
The Communists are mobilizing
most available shipping along the
East China coast and the lower
Yangtze river to carry their troops
to Formosa. This includes an es-
timated more than 5000 junks
capable Of carrying 250,000 men.
The Nationalist Navy found Com
munist wooden junks far harder
to sink than steel ships. Last |
month the East China National
Seamen's Union modified along
with China coast fishermen to as
sist in the invasion. An unknown
number of steel ships were as
sembled at Hangchow, Shanghai,
Tsingtao and elsewhere.
Furthermore. peasants through
out East China have enlisted in an
extensive road and rail repair
campaign. In Shanghai the Com
munists have trained special
cadres of political workers for
the Formosa takeover. This con-
cludes with special study group
discussion of problems involved
in taking Formosa.
Armies Being Assembled.
During the last two months the
Communists have begun assem-
bling their armies in Fukien and
Chekiang Provinces for the final
assault. Two of Red Gen. Chen |
Yi's armies that captured Shang-
hal have completed special am
phibiouS assault training and
moved to the coast opposite For
mosa.
Meanwhile two army groups Of |
Gen. Lin LAOS forces that first |
captured Manchuria, then lately
conquered Hainan Island in the
far south, are moving toward
Fukien. Additional Communist |
armies are also reported approach
ing costal jump-of bases from
Central China. possibly North
China.
If the Communists now are to
attempt the invasion of Formosa
in face Of the American Navy they
will need additional Russion as
SiStance.