The opinion expressed in these columns a few days ago, that the fall of Hsuchowfu would not necessarily mean the end of the Japanese campaign in China, 1s now apparently shared by some of the newspapers of Japan, particularly the influential "Nicht Nicht" "and the "Miyako." It is regarded as premature to be-Heve that the capture of the city which has! been the Japanese objective for some months. s.a very serious blow to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, or that it will bring about the complete collapse of the Hankow Government, It would be idle to minimize the dimensions of the victory which the Japanese have gained in Shantung. but on the other hand it would be more than unwise to exaggerate its possible effect on the future conduct of these hostilities. Making all allowances for a natural enthusiasm, it is more than probable that substantially large Chinese forces will either be annihilated or forced to surrender, and China will thereby have lost much of the forces which have been thoroughly well seasoned by the months of struggle they have endured in north China. The Chinese Government has been all along pre-poring new levies and with its enormous recurees of man power is still able {o carry on the fight. If it succeeds in delaying the Japanese time table, -as it did in the battle for Hsuchowfu, it may be years before the Japanese army will be able to impose its will upon China. The original idea of a short, sharp. profitable war has been abandoned even by the Japanese newspapers, and the leading journals are warning their teaders that the occupation of the railway junction is but one of the many Sleps which will have to be taken before the Generalissimo's administration can be wiped out, The Japanese armies may be winning victories, but they may prove to be very Pyrrhic {unless the end can be brought about quick) and the strain on Japan's financial resources speedily brought: to an end. faking seriously to the task of preparing for the possibility of air-raids in future hostilities. In addition to improved and strengthened air defences commensurate with the importance of this advanced British base in the Far East—the nature of which, of course, remains seerel—publie ce-operation is being sought in enforcing community training and discipline to meet eventualities. The appointment of Wing-Commander A. LIS, Stecle-Perking as Air Raids Precautions OMfecr was the beginning of the move and considerable progress appears to have been made in recruiting this necessary ce-operation, Interviewed, Wing-Commander Steele-Perkins recently said:
1 have visited the railway, the electric and works, the broadcasting" station, storage lants and' private docks and these are all now Preparing. schemes for the defence of their Undertakings inthe event of an alrorald, fireular letter Ie also {0 be issued) shortly to all Business "firms "employing over. one hundred People "eking, them "to ce-operate © with Government. arupas ay int Sonceeeng! Sak Oued
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.