A Japanese Defeat
The Japanese forces operating in central China in the direc- tion of Changsha have suffered a severe defeat, which appears to have had a most heartening effect on Chinese morale. Changsha is an important town on the railway from Hankow to Canton, and the centre of a rich rice-producing district. The Japanese had concentrated large, well-equipped forces for a powerful enveloping movement with Changsha as its first objec- tive, and so confident were they of a spectacular success that they had invited foreign correspondents to come and see the battlefields. But the attack has been broken up, and the main army involved is in rapid retreat pursued and harried by the Chinese. The Japanese have endeavoured to conceal their defeat by speaking of a " voluntary " withdrawal, and attempting to divert attention to successes some five hundred miles to the north in the regicm of Chengchow. The reverse is serious for them. While they are marking time in the Pacific, and watch- ing events in the European war and reactions in America. they have been preparing a formidable offensive against China in the hope of dealing a knock-out blow before she feels the full benefit of British and American aid. But now they are farther than ever from crushing the Chungking Government. and must face the fact that to the advantages which the latter has from numbers, geography and high morale will soon be added substantial supplies of war-material via the Burma Road.
Previous page
