REDS, 25 MILES FROM NANKING, RETIRE ACROSS RAIL LINK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22819, 14 December 1948, Page 5

REDS, 25 MILES FROM NANKING, RETIRE ACROSS RAIL LINK

(N.Z.P.A.- -Kentcr—Copyright.) (11.15 a.m.) NANKING, Dec. 13. The Communists who earlier were reported to lie across the Ticntsiii-Piikow railway, only 25 miles north of Nanking, have withdrawn, according to reliable sources, late this afternoon. They retired to the hills east of the railway, where they are still threatening the lifeline to the main Government forces north of Pengpu.

The Communist withdrawal from the railway permitted the track to be repaired and traffic with Pengpu resumed. It is thought unlikely that the Communists will try to drive on Southward until a decision is reached north oi Pengpu, where the position of the surrounded Nationalist armies is becoming more precarious as supplies diminish.

The Nationalists are still trying to reach the battered Twelfth Army south-west of Suhsien.

Father north, three other encircled army groups are running short of food and have little hope of escape. In North China Reuter’s correspondena in Tientsin reports that the Communists occupied the Tongshnn coalmining region after the Nationalist withdrawal.

The belief is hardening among informed circles in Shanghai that the Premier designate. Dr. Sun Fo, is trying to set up a “caretaker” Government to pave the way for peace talks with the Communists and even the formation of a coalition Government including the Communists. About 1000 United States Marines will leave Tsingtao for Shanghai this week. They will land only if American lives are endangered sßould the Government fall.