Hankow, Sept. 7.
Reports from the Han, and the districts around Shasi show that' the conditions are better, and that the troops of the 10th army have cleaned up quite a lot of the places previously occupied by the bandi his, was apparently made easier by the fact that the majority of the Red forces had joined the con-contration outside Nanchang, only Veaving behind a skeleton force in occupation.
There little or no. change in the local situation, which is mainly Sikang, west of Szechuen province, General Ma, chairman of Kokonor Government, ordered—_Kokonor_ troops at the border to make defence preparations against possible attack by Tibetan troops. The Dalai Lama misunderstood the motive behind Kokonor troop movements. Fearing that his left flank was threatened, the Dalai Lama ordered an invasion into Kokonor. JAbout 7,000 Tibetan troops attacked Yushu district, from whose high peaks the famous Yellow River and Yangtze River have their source. 'The attack commenced from March 23, Only 400 Kokonor troops were defending the border. These soldiers put up a stubborn' resistance but they had to fall back after 300 of them had been killed in action.
Urgent appeals were sent to Si-Ning, capital of Kokonor Province, for reinforcements. In Kokonor, there are altogether 25,000 soldiers, jone division of infantry units and another division of cavalry units. On account of recent disturbances jin. Kansu Provinces, 5,000 cavalry units had to be sent from Kokonor to Kansu to help preserve order. Kokonor occupies an area as big as that of Manchuria, Transportation in Kokonor is extremely difficult and troop movement in Yushu district, where Sighting is taking place, is almost impossible.
id of high plateau, known highest plateau in the world, covered the year round with snow. There are almost no inhabitants and troops have to ca [their own food stuff and ammuni-ion enough to last the entire expedition, otherwise they will either: dig of starvation or will run out of ammunition. If a, rider goes from Si-Ning to Vu-shu on horse back and changes mount every messenger station, it takes
ler.
nearly 20 days to reach the bor~ Another difficulty is that the authorities cannot get ammunition to Kokonor. Troops have received strict orders not to fire one shot unless it is absolutely necessary. They usually use big swords and spears to spare their. firearms, About two weeks ago, the Central Government at Nanking issued 100,000 rounds of rifle ammunition to a Kokonor, representative here. connected with from the peopl [these ammunition to Kokonor twill the only quick''way to trans
ties of the Bloody Group. As albe via the Euresia. air line, It is further moans of "raising money estimated by General Ma Teng-yun, representative of Kokonor Go\ the Inndiords are being asked to ment in Nanking, toat it will take contribute 40 per cent, of one two months to get thi. ovamunition month's rent which it is anticipat-to Lanchow, capital of Kansu proved will yield about $260,000 to ince. From Lanchow the ammuni-300,000, The landlords "are com-ition can be transported to Si-Ning plaining against this tax but it ix}by apparent that they will have to] pay. The Bloody Group are continuing their activities through the and a letter published ral China Post on the is typical of the epistles being sent out. This letter address to the Editor read as follows:
"It came to my notice for many times that the editorial note in the comments column of your newspaper is always without impartiality and the comments are favourable to the Japanese action towards China, Japan is our enemy. Those who are in favour of our enemies will be considered as our enemy. The letter serves as the first and also the last warning to you. In further if any comments which by motor trucks.
The Kokonor seven motor trucks. in Kokonor for $60 The distance between Lan-Jchow and Si-Ning is about six days foy motor truck." From Si-Ning to the order, they will have to send the ammunition on horse-back.
Kokonor troops are awaiting the Jarrival of this ammunition to start their counter-offensive against the [Tibetan troops, The Kokonor troops ined to recover their lost territory. "By the end of this month, there will be 2,500 Kokonor troops massed at ths border. Being better disciplined and knowing full well {the geographical conditions, of the country, Kokonor authorities are confident that they will be able to drive back the Tibetans before the New Year.
Sept. 11, sic The arrival here of the personal Punishment will follow immedi: Jdclegate of the Dalai Lama of Tibet ately in the form of Iron and may be a peaceful settlement of the ives rise to hopes that. there soon igned by a situation on the Siho-Tibetan bor-[chang Tron and lder, where fighting has been going' Jon intermittently since March.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.