Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), Friday 13 June 1947, page 1


Mongolian Moves Explained

Australian Associated Press NANKING, June 11.

Chinese Government sources, quoted by United Press, said today that the invasion by Outer Mongolian forces of the

north-west Chinese province ot fiiTiirinng had political rather 'than military implications, and aimed at giving Special Commissioner Li Rihan, who is pro-Russian, complete control of sinkiang Province, thereby ousting Special Commissioner Us Man, who is pro-Chinese. Both Commissioners were appointed some time ago by-the semi*autonomous sinkiazig Government to keep the peace' in the province, collect taxes, and administer thenrespective territories, Li Rihan in the north adjoining Russia and Us Man in the east on the Outer Mongolian border. Lj Rihan in February attacked the forces under Us Man and on March 27 Us Man was. forced to evacuate Cbengcb.ua and retreated to Peitashan, where he was attacked by Outer Mongolian troops on June 5. China Helpless j Nanking military experts, ac-| cording to Associated Press, doubt' whether the Government could send effective assistance to Sinkiang in view of its reverses elsewhere, and it is thought the Government will try to localise the fighting and settle the affair diplomatically. A Defence Ministry spokesman announced that Outer .Mongolian forces have captured Peitashan. but he did not say when. A Government spokesman said that Chinese troops near Peitashan were resisting attacks. Peitashan is 50 rales inside the Mongolian border and about 150 miles northeast of Tihwa, capital of Sinkiang Earlier reports that the Mongols had penetrated 200 miles have not been repeated and they are now assumed to be wrong.