Chungking. Oct, 26, the Chinese troops have succeeded in evacuating the Wuhan region thereby, as Chinese circles assure, not only escaping a decisive defeat, but also avoiding almost any losses, the main interest is directed to the military operations to by Jexpected in the near future, The Chinese troops occupied the rear defence line prepared a considerable time ago, where they are awaiting a further Japanese offensive.
Chinese military circles expect that the Japanese will concen. {trate their efforts on Hunan provi ince in order to obtain complete control of the Hankow-Canton Railway. It is believed that the Japanese will advance from Cant fon on Hankow and in the opposite direction from Hankow on Cant ton with the important junction Changsha as the main objective, although no troop. movements indicating such a plan have yet been reported. A third Japanes, column is likewise believed to prepare its advance on Changsha via Nanchang.
The Chinese authorities have taken elaborate precautions to protect Hunan province, called the "heart of China," of which Changsha is the important, strategic point. The Chinese high command has transferred its head: quarters to Hunan province. It is Pointed out that the defence of Hunan comparatively easy, because the province with its many mountains has strong" natural barriers. The place where the Yangtze flows into the Tungting Lake is protected by. powerful booms and the strategic points in Hunan are reported to have been strongly fortified.
The retreat accomplished by the Chinese is explained as a strengthen Ing of the defence of Hunan, Retreat operations are being carried out on, the northern bank of the Yangtze in, the Han Valley where other strong, bulwarks are under construction. The mountain range between the Han, River and the Peiping-Hankow Railway is likewise reported to have been, fortified, so that any Japanese advance will encounter strong resistance.
Increased Japanese activity is expected also in North China, particularly In the direction of Sianfu. 'The mountainous character of the region, would, however, impede the Japanes" operations also' there. The Chines guerilla warfare in that region would be intensified so that the Japanese, Chinese circles emphasize, will no: where find easier conditions—Trans Ocean.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.