May 31.
The events of the past week have amply proved that the early Japanese claims of huge successes around Hsuchowfu were more enthusiastic than reliable, and that parallels drawn with the battle of Tannenberg have to be considerably discounted, That, however, concerns details; the fact remains that in reducing the heavily fortified position around the important railway junction the Japanese did secure a victory of major importance. That to a great extent will be offset in Chinese eyes by the realization that Hsuchowfu had to fall sooner or later, and that the great delay effected in the Japanese programme was in itself a moral success, which is not too lightly to be disregarded. It is becoming increasingly clear that not only were the Chinese not surrounded, but that also, they were not routed, and the proof that the Chinese command was able to maintain complete contro! of their men is to be found in the success which they have had against the forces under the command of General Doihara. It may very well prove to be the case that they will not be able to bring about the annihilation of his division, though reports have it that it is fighting with its back to the Yellow River and in a somewhat desperate situation. It is, however, to be expected that, with superior equipment, and reinforcements, the defeat which the' Chinese command hopes to inflict will be averted. Whether that is so or not, the fact remains that not only were the Chinese not routed. around Hsuchowfu, but they were in a position to strike back, something which a demoralised army would be completely incapable of doing. That will probably be the answer to the demand of various Japanese civilian bodies for a rapid advance on Hankow, for it is apparent that if the Chinese armies are in the position to launch a. counter-offensive as they have done against General Doihara, they must also be in a good position to. continue on the defensive which after all has been the main feature of their strategy. Despite the very
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.