"From the political point of view." says the "Asahi" in an article to-cay, "the capture of Tsinan is extremely significant," Control of Shantung, it says, gives the Japanese Army hegemony over the five provinces of North China.
"It is considered most probable," the "Asahi" continues, "that the influence of the Provisional Government of the Republic of China will be extended to Shantung."
Crossing the Yellow River in the face of the enemy had been con-considered by military experts to be extremely difficult, the journal proceeds, but actually it proved an easy task to the Japanese Army.
"As a result of the capture of Tsinan." the "Asahi" adds, "Japan grasps at the throat of the Shantung Peninsula, cutting off the retreat of the Shantung Army, important Central Army forces and other mixed Chinese troops."—Reuter, Taian Concentration Hankow, Dec. 28.
After retreating from Tsinan, the forces of General Han Fu-chu, Governor of Shantung, took up positions on Paimashan, or White Horse Mountain, according to officio! Chinese dispatches received here to-day.
The main body is concentrating at Taian, in the immediate vicinity of Which stands Taishan, China's sacred mountain, which is often mentioned in the writings of Confucius.
Meanwhile the Japanese forces advancing eastward towards Tsingtao along the Tsinan-Tsingtao Railw are pushing steadily closer to their objective. Fighting is at present taking place at Chingchow, 35 miles west of Weihsien, and gunfire was faintly audible at Weihsien today.
General Vu Hsueh-chung's troops, who have been garrisoning Tsingtao, [are reported to be moving westward te support the Chinese forces at Weihsien. These troops belonged formerly to General Chang Hsueh-liang.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.