Logically enough, the Chinese Government at Chungking has. severed relations with the European Axis partners, to which there has been rejoinder in kind. Envoys have been recalled and China's position in the international line-up becomes: increasingly clear. It is too. early as' yet to see what will be the resultant developments, but it means. at not least that Free China will be free of Axis influence and intrigues, and drawn even closer to those who are committed to the destruction of Hitler and all for which he stands.
Meanwhile, the serious loss which the closure of the trans-Siberian route means to German interests in China is becoming more fully disclosed. From Shanghai and North China ports an extremely valuable trade was flowing both eastward and westwards—valuable financially as well as militarily, It has all come to an end, andso ends a leakage in the blockade against Germany which had been the.cause of no little misgiving in Britain.
Mr, Churchill's promise that Britain would intensify its aerial war against Hitler has been spectacularly implemented this past week. Day after day and night after night Royal Air
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