The Chinese military spokesman, at yesterday's press conference, stated that the highway from Lotien to the north of Liuhang, which had been hotly contested by the opposing forces during the past few days, was finally abandoned by the Chinese troops. The withdrawal was effected in stages and without a hitch. Continuing, the spokesman said:
"Fighting was proceeding in the vicinity of Liuhang." According to the spokesman, the village has noc yet been given up. South of the Village, a staying action was being fought near Koochiache and Shen-chia che. The attempts of the Japanese to cross the Wentsaopang Creek further south have been stoutly resisted by Chinese troops, Ssusiangkungmiao, about 2.000 metres to the west of Lotien, now forms the northernmost point of the Chinese line, according to the spokesman. The withdrawal to this point removes the effective check which has kept the Japanese troops bottled up at Lotien ever since they landed there six weeks ago.
Although the main body of the Chinese troops guarding the highway has been withdrawn to a line about 1,000 metres to the west of it, the Japanese had to fight for every inch of ground. Heavy casualties were reported to have been inflicted on the Japanese.
Despite Japanese attacks, there was no other change in Chinese positions, according to the spokesman. The Japanese troops withdrawn from the Civic Centre were believed to have been sent to reinforce the sector
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.