OCR
2 for e NEWS FROM SOUTH BAST AND THE I YA 0. ved from various observers during the past few weeks. From ali the dispatches that reach ug from the general areas which shall be discussed in this report, their comes a fees ling of anxiety. People, though little informed on great politi-=cal affairs, and more especially without direct knowledge of the discussions between Red China and Russia, still have the feeling that grave discussions are under way, which will decide as to the future trend of events in their section. Sertainly the rainy season which has just started, shell slow down movements and hence give a respite to hard pressed forces. but on the other hand the West is often to much inclined to overestimate the advantages of the rainy season : because, militaryly speaking, the rainy season does more to hamper the operations of aviation forces, than they do for the ground forces, and especially for the light and battle hardened guerilias which the Communists can put in the field for hit and run operationse Great decisions and spectacular moves are nevertheless not to be expected in the nearest future - at least not for the next eight weeks. As it looks, the clear-cut decisions on the Com= munist side are not yet taken, This is show by the tactics of cen change, Developments are more likely, at that moment, in the Himalaya region. But with the begin of October sometying is likely to happen in South Bast Asva too - at least if Russia and China agrees Because there is not the slightest doubt, that the Chinese want to msh their momentary advantage to the maximum. Contrary to the Russians, they demand speed, are inclined for precipitate action. While these considerations of a general nature seem true in the whole area, we should point out that in Viet-"am ese that major military events are not excluded in the net futures. i>.