Meanwhile, the exodus from Hankow continues, mainly because of the removal of' many Chinese Govern ment offices from here into Szechuen and Hunan provinces.
Shanghai, Dec. 25.
Navigation on the Yangtze was still "very hazardous," a Japanese aval. spokesman revealed yesterday morning.
"It cannot be stated at this time: when unrestricted navigation can be resumed," he declared.
Mine fields and floating mines abounded in the area from Wuhu as far down as Woosung, the spokesman Jasserted. Japanese naval authorities, were daily engaged in the destruction of such hazards, blowing several mines each day, he added, 'These mines, the' spokesman pointed out, formed a part of the military activities of the Chinese who' "unto this day hope that some [Japanese warship or merchant ves~ sel will be blown mp by one of them."
"Would a foreign naval vessel take steps to remove such dangers to navigation if it became aware of their existence?" the spokesman was asked, "That would depend on whether or not the officer in charge wanted to see a Japanese vessel blown the spokesman replied, He, however, declared that he was aware that neutrality requirements would create difficulties in the path of any third party in des troying such mines, All aids to. navigation on the Yangtze, the "spokesman declared, had been removed by the Chinese. adding new difficulties to on eventual restoration of river tref,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.