Background For War: ASIA - Chiang's War

Two years ago this week, on the night of July 7, a Japanese private went A. W. O. L. from the maneuvers of his regiment at the Marco Polo bridge, ten miles from China's old northern capital of Peking. Apparently he had slipped off to visit a brothel, but the Japanese accused the Chinese of abducting him and holding him in the city of Wanping. Next day, although the missing man had long since taken his place in line, Japanese troops opened fire outside the east gate of the city.

Thus began the...

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