Shanghai, Nov. 24.
HE capture of Wusih which had been unofficially claimed by the Japanese the: day before, was not confirmed last night, the latest Japanese communique stating that their troops were approximately eight kilometres from the city yesterday morning. It was alleged, however, that Chinese troops had been seen withdrawing in some haste from the city.
According to Chinese reports, the defence line now being held by the defending forces runs in a curve between Kiangyin and Haiyen, It was admitted that the situa hood of Chapoo and Pingwu in eastern Chekiang was Chinese reinforcements were being sent to the scene and it' was oped that they would be able to prevent a disaster.
Japanese aeroplanes wore active Nanking-Hangchow high braching i. Planes also voided a Chinese aerodrome at Chowehlakow in Honan, from whence emanated conflicting reports of dam-done, Reports us to the establishment of netitral or safely: zone for refugees in Nanking were also conflicting last night. According 10 a Japanese report, the Tokyo Foreign Office had hot "been officially informed of the proposal. Nanking messages stated that foreign embassies there had put
ties. the question to the Japanese author!
Toports of the capture of Wusih, the Important Chinese stronghold on the so-called *wecond defence me"
from the banks of Taihu gyn. forts, still Jacked official confirmation yesterday morning, a Japanese military spokesman annotneed at a press conference at 10 o'clock.
Up to Monday afternoon, Japane infantry had reached a point Kilometres east of Wusih, according {o official dispatches, he said.
Chinese troops, however, were seen relating by Japanese aerial. scouts from. Wusih to Wulsin, also known fas Changchow, the spokesmen said.
The Chinese Li Following their withdrawal from Soochow and Changshu, the Chinese Woops are now holding a sharply curved line to the west of the fallen cities. Heavy troops are guarding Various Important points along this Tine, a midnight report from Wusih on, Monday might stated.
Despite "the fall of Kashing and Soochow and the piercing of the Chinese defence at' Pingwang, Chinese troops are still holding a" num bet of points on the Soochow-Kashing Railway, te Wusih report added.
About 17 kilometres. south-west of Kashing, the new Chinese positions are at Tunghsiang, while Wushing, famous silk-producing town on the Nanking-Hangchow Highway some 00 kkllomatves north of Hangchow, is stil In the hands of the Chinese who are determined to arrest the westward push of the Japanese around the Southern tip of the Taihu Lalke.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.