The removal of Chinese Government's offices to Hankow indicates the preparation of the capital for the greater military pressure which is expected as the result of the marked advance of the Japanese forces since the successful landing at Chapoo caught the defenders so much off their guard and precipitated a further withdrawal. The circumstances which led to this unexpected corollary to the crossing of the Soochow Creek have not been fully explained. That is due to the reticence generated by the fog of war, but it would seem that the element Of surprise which operated to Japanese advantage played a decisive part in the development. The decision te evacuate the civil administration from Nanking accords with the demands of prudence and may be taken to indicate the determination to continue resistance despite the disappointments of the last few weeks, The temporary location of the capital at Hankow will have its disadvantages. Still changes of capital are by no means unknown in China. Hankow itself is no stranger to the dignity which it now assumes. The evacuation appears to have been expeditiously and smoothly accomplished and indicates that the Government is facing heavy responsibilities with appropriate fortitude.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.