The majority of the intelligentsia are perhaps inclined to take a realistic view of the situation, pointing out that China has been driven io the western provinces, which are largely undeveloped and whose resources have been over-estimated in many quarters.- They also state that the supply of heavy arms is going to be difficult in future, although there is enough for present needs.
Help irom Russia is largely discounted, partly owing -to interna! difüculties. It is felt, therefore, that any move towards reasonable peace should be examined carefully, although there is no desire to rush hastily into negotiations or mediation that may possibly be merely intended to sow dissension among the Chinese people.
Chinese circles feel, that it is for Japan to make the next significant move. They contend that if she misses the present chance for peace it may not recur before both countries are utterly ruined.
Gen. Chiang's Popularity Undimmed Japanese infantry, however, encountered barbed wire and pillbox positions which appeared to have been prepared months ago for the purpose of checking a southward drive. The Japanese columns speeded their pursuit during the past three days in an effort to deal a crushing blow to the Chinese before they have had an opportunity to complete their retreat and form new positions. i A Japanese detachment which launched a frontal assault on the shifting Chinese lines found several "units equipped with tanks. Many Chinese were mowed down when caught between a cross-fre.
Chinese troops which took up positions in a wooded region near Hoshengchiao battled each other for a time when trees and bushes prevented them from distinguishing friend from foe, the reports said. Many Chinese were said to have been killed or wounded by the fire from their comrades.
Tanks, Armoured Cars Abandoned A Chinese unit which possessed armoured cars, tanks and artillery lay in ambush near Hoshengchiao in an attempt to trap a Japanese column. The attempt failed, however, and the Chinese were routed, They abandoned their tanks and armoured cars in their flight.
Two Japanese detachments which united at Shanpo, about seven kilometres north of Hoshengchiao, were advancing close on the flanks of the Chinese.
Scenes of carnage and desolation greeted Domei correspondents who visited the districts west of the railway. Woodland sloping down to swamps and lakes was strewn with Ambassador on Way To Kweiyang Kunming, Oct. 30.
Sir Archibald Clark Kerr, the British Ambassador to China, and his party, left today for Kweiyang by road, without disclosing their plans or their destination.
It is reported that Sir Archibald held conversations with Mr. Lung Yun, the Governor of Yunnan, and with the Director of the Government Bank, concerning the communications in Western China.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.