Chungking, Dec. 15.
The military situation on the various fronts gives rise to singular optimism, declares the Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese forces on the South Bank of the Yangtze River, who is at present visiting Chungking, in a statement made today.
"Anyone who vi s the front," the C.-in-C. declared, cannot fail to feel optimistic concerning the future military situation, as the morale of the Chinese soldiers is extremely high.
"Every Chinese soldier is eager to revenge the wrongs and sufferings inflicted upon his family and his countrymen as a result of the Japanese invasion. The power of the Japanese fire has decreased noticeably recently.
"Hitherto, the Japanese always adopted the same tactics, that of subjecting the Chinese line to the heaviest artillery and aerial bombardment, and using masses of tanks, before sending the infantry over the top, with the result that frequently (he Chinese lost their lives in their positions with-Out/even the opportunity of facing the Japanese, "As the Japanese fire has slackened considerably of late, the Chinese have obtained the opportunity of meeting the Japanese in hand-to-hand fight-
"The spirit of the Chinese veterans is indeed admirable, "When the Japanese fire is too heavy to withstand, they fall back slightly, but as soon as the firing slows down, they immediately return to their original position, and try to advance if possible, "The determination of the Chinese Soldiers to fight the Japanese grows daily; in addition, the Chinese soldier has benefitted by his expe ences, and is also improving daily in fighting technique.
"It is undeniable that our troops have suffered heavy losses, but our fighting strength is by no means affected."—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.