Tientsin, Mar. 20.
"It was meant as a joke," declared Lt.-Colonel "Mori, Japanese military spokesman, in a supplementary interview this morning, denying the interpretation "placed on his statement at yesterday's press conference to the effect that the blockade of the Tientsin cessions would be lifted "only after Japan, Italy and other foreign Powers have rendered their concessions to China, never implied that any agreement reached at Tokyo would be insufficient to lift the Blockade," he added—Reuter. of the first items to be taken up following inauguration of the "Central Government." he added, Amplifying the spokesman's state ment, the interpreter remarked that solution of the silver question would be a contributory factor towards settlement. of the blockade question, but a final settlement could not be expected before the matter of rendi= tion of concessions was satisfactorily The Japanese forces at Lingshan are reported at present to be retreating Inv a. westerly direction, in three Jcolumns, according to Chinese feld [despatches received here.
Japanese detachment, north of Lingshan, 1s said to be retreating in the direction of Nanning.
Another detachment ig stated to be retreating towards Yamchow via Wall and Pehlao, while a third detachment is reported to be withdrawing. in the tion of Siootung, on the highway between Nanning sud Yamchow.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.