Evening star., 1937-11-10
The Fall of Shanghai.

C oA VI ollolI Idls
While there is no Disgusting the grav-
aty of the fall of Shanghai, from the
standpoint alike of China's morale and
military fortunes, it would be premature
to conclude that the Nanking govern
ment has been dealt either an irrepar-
able blow or one calculated to precipi-
tate the collapse of Chang Kai-shek's
resistance
If New York or San Francisco were to
be captured by invaders, the effect would
be staggering, but the enemy would
still have his work cut out for him, to
master several million square miles of un-
conquered territory and militant popu-
lation of 125,000,000 souls. Chinas situa-
tion, as affected by the loss of her famous
port and the heart of her economic sys-
tenn, is not quite analogous to the Amer
lean hypothesis, but the latter illustrates
the point. China has been hit in a vital
spot, but is neither reeling nor knocked
out. She is still in the ring.
The landing of two Japanese divisions
on their southeast coast caused the
Chinese to withdraw completely from
Shanghai, after heroic 88-day defense
OF the metropolis, thus losing all con-
tact with the great city. Preponderantly
the surrender'S most serious aspect is
that Shanghai was an important source
OF supplies, including both foodstuffs and
munitions. With Tientsin in the north
already held by the enemy, Hong Kong
is now more than ever an indispensable
funnel on which Chang must depend for
war sinews from abroad.
Although Japan now rings Shanghai
with steel and has isolated 100000
Chinese residents, 100000 refugees and
many thousands of Americans and other
foreigners, Markings troops are with
drawing in perfect order, according to
the latest accounts, to a winter front"
west of Shanghai, protecting the ap-
proaches to the capital, some 200 miles
distant. At present Chiang's forces are
resting at. or approaching Soochow.
twenty miles from the abandoned port.
Much depends on their ability to con-
tinue in orderly retreat. Whenever an
army retires there is incessant danger
that the operation may be turned into
rout. Heavily "strafed" by Japanese
aircraft and pursuing artillery and in
fantry and losing heavily as they go
back, the Chinese face the peril, to
which any army thus harried would be
subject, of becoming so demoralized that
systematic movement cannot be main
tanned. Once established on their vari-
Gus "Hindenburg lines" in the great delta
lands of the lake region west of Shang-
hal, the Chinese should shortly be in
position again to offer stubborn resist
ance and make the Japanese pay dearly
for every inch of advance. I'VE shall
fight with the same vigor and determina-
ton as We did at Shanghai" Generals
simo Chang declares.
Significantly, the fall of Shanghai CO.
ancides with revived reports that Japan
yearns for mediation. In this connec-
ton, 1t would be interesting to know
the exact contents of the letter of
introduction" presented at the White
House yesterday by young Fumitaka Ko-
noye, Princeton undergraduate son of
the japanese Prime Minister. Accom-
panied to the executive offices by Am
bassador Saito, 1t seems unlikely that
Old Nassaus golf captain came merely
to explain why the Tiger is playing un-
victorious football this season or to pre-
sent greetings from his princely father.