In Manchuria the Communists pressed their military advantage. Last week, only a month and a half after their fall offensive ended, they were hammering the approaches to Mukden again, despite four-foot snow and cold that dipped to 30° below zero. The Reds did not have to storm Mukden, it probably would be enough to keep the garrison cold and isolated for the big push next spring.
Mukden faced immediate tactical decisions. Nationalist generals gathered for a defense conference with sick Manchuria Commander Chen Cheng (stomach ulcers). To discourage looting by the hungry and desperate among Mukden's half million inhabitants, authorities installed...
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