The order for the withdrawal of Chinese troops defending the south side of the Soochow Creek was issued on Monday night and com" pleted early yesterday morning, a Chinese military spokesman said at yesterday afternoon's press conference. A small force was told to remain behind to act as a rear guard, but little fighting eventuated.
The order for withdrawal, the spokesman said, was issued "in order to avoid unnecessary sacrifice of lives, which would certainly ensue if the Creek were to be further defended." The withdrawal was carried out smoothly and with precision.
While as yet there was no specific order regarding the line from Liuho to (Nanziang, it was understood that this line would be held. and that the new line would take Nanziang as a starting point, he said.
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