Tokyo, May 20, General Gen Sugiyam Japanese War Minister, today aid the fall of Hsuchow did not mean an end of hostilities in China. He said Japanese forces will continue their drive toward Hankow and to further points it necessary. "Even if Generalissimo Chiang Kaivshek flees from Hankow it will be to no avail, because we will follow until he is completely put of the picture," the War Minister said. United Press. attention to the movement of Japanese troops in sectors other than Hsuchow.
Falling even to scent a part, the Japanese military plan, the Chi-command" concentrated 30 divisions in southern "AL the while, the Chinese conducted world-wide propaganda, representing the situation in southern Bhantung as a victory for China.
"The Japanese, on the other hand, Yemained silent regarding the situa tion in southern Shantung for fear of betraying the true military" objec tive of the Japanese Army.
"The Chinese troops were thus lett to Indulge in. selfintoxication over the illusory victory, while full preparations were completed by "the Japanese forces to encircle the er section of the Lunghat oilway.
Meanwhile, the right column of the Japanese southern forces occupied Yencheng. and Fowning, in. northern Kiangsu, whence they drove towards wal River Crossed "the main body of the Japanese southern forces crossed "the Hwa River on May 8 and pushed north, slong the western fringe of the south fern section of the Tsinpu oilway, {hus cutting of the communication line between "Hsuchow on the one hand and Yungcheng and Pohsten on the other.
"On Say 14, the. Japanese sout Jem force cut off the Lunghai Rail. way at Tangshan, 60 kins. west. of Hsuchow, while the Japanese north= jem force, which drove. south from Tolning, broke through. the Chinese line between Kinsiang and Yutal on the same day.
"The extreme right column of the Japanese northern forces, which rossed the Yellow River on May 12, occupied Tscho the following day and drove "south-west, towards. Lanfeng, fu, the Lunghai Railway.
This manquvre completed the Japanese encirclement of the, Hsu= how area, upon which, according to 4 statement made, by Gen. Li Tsung~ Commander-in-Chief "of the Chinese forces there, hinged the fate of the Chinese state and people."—Domei.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.