It is a matter of wonder to the Japanese military authorities that London reports concerning the alleged surrounding by Chinese forces of Canton and other South China cities, should receive so much credence, according to the military spokesman at yesterday's press conference, who emphasized that the Japanese command had the situation in South China well in hand and was gradually extending its operations. The Chungking announcement that 70 strategic towns and 500 villages had been occupied by Chinese troops was incorrect, the spokesman went on to say, although he admitted that several unimportant villages in South China had been vacated by japanese troops, either for strategical reasons or for purposes of straightening the front. These measures, he added, were necessary in view of the numerical superiority of the Chinese.orves which required the Japanese io hold the front with a minimum number of men.
In Central China, the spokesman went on to say, a few minor engagements have taken place south of Nanchang and West of Kavan ana heavy Chinese troop concentrations nad been observed on the west bank of the Han River.
In referring to the Chinese "April Offensive," which the spokesman in Chungking referred to as not having commenced as yet, the spokesman said that from past records of the reverses suffered by the Chinese forces, it is obvious that the offensive has not only been launched but also lost and would probably terminate with the end of the month.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.