The statement emanating from Hankow on the military situation in China breathes of optimism, amd if all that 1s said is correct the Chinese government may still be in a position to offer the sternest resistance to the advance Of the Japanese. It is clear that though the Chinese will continue to hold Hsuchowfu to the last possible moment, the Government does of Intend that a final decisive battle shall be waged for that important railway junction, for it is stated that the main fighting strength of the Chinese army will not be concentrated there Contemplating the ultimate fall of Hsuchowfu apparent that the Chinese command will make a further stand against the Japanese if and when they decide, to advance on Hankow, 80 that the capture of Hsuchowfu by the Japanese will be merely a preliminary in the general struggle for the Lunghai Rollway. Nevertheless. it is quite possible that the Japanese advances: towards Chengchow and Kweiteh, together with the movement northwards along the Tsinpu Railway from Pengpu may have the effect of turning the Chinese position at Hsuchowfy, in which event it may be expected that the Chinese will withdraw from that city in order to avoid being cut off. All this, however, will only Jead up to a big struggle outside Hankow, and, in the event of their being worsted there, it is expected that the armies will withdraw into the mountains of the north-west and south-west whence it will be possible to maintain those guerilla tactics to which the Nationalist Government are pinning their faith in the hope of wearing Japan's forces down and ultimately exhausting her. If the Chinese can successfully carry out such a programme the Japanese may eventually come to believe that they have taken hold of the bear by the tail and And it exceedingly dimeult to let go,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.