Shanghai, June 4, Ability of Japanese columns to cut through.the Chinese defence lines and seize vitally important. fording. points along the north bank of the Yellow River, thus severing the Chi: nese retreat' route southward was} described by Lieut-Col, Akiyama, Japanese army spokesman, 95 a fe~ for enabling the Japanese forces to score a stupendous victory over the cream of Chungking's Central Army in. Shansi Province. yesterday afternoon's regular, ress conference, the Japanese spokesman revealed that the Chinese strength in Shanst iwas approximate ly 18 divisions, totalling 190,000 men, spread out'in ereascent shaped lines with the Yellow River to the Japanese columns which were origin-ay in Shansi were reinforced with new detachments, and commenced an offensive May 7, The Japanese strategy called for the breaching of the Chinese tines in four laces in order to encircled the Chin.
32 forces in two localities, The Japanese forces ordered to breach the Chinese lines were in-' structed to advance with all possible Speed in order to reach the Yellow River. It was made clear that the more swift the advance. the greater the blow to the enemy, Colonel Akiyama said
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