1938-05-12 — Page 7

THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 12, 1988.

Page

GRAVE NEW

THREAT TO

LUNGHAI RAILWAY ZONE Japanese Launching Drive From Tsining,

Sudden Shift Of

Offensive

Hankow, To-day. In what is generally considered a very serious threat to the Chinese positions in south Shan- tung, Japanese forces at Tsining are launch- ing a vigorous drive south-west along the motor-road to Hinghsiang, with the aim of cut- ting the Lunghai Railway at Mamutsi, west of Hsuchowfu.

More than 10,000 Japanese troops in south-east Shantung advancing south from Tacheng, suddenly shifted westwards after reaching Hunghuapu, probably with the intention of outflanking the Chinese at Pihsien.

Japanese forces attacking Yun- cheng from Wensang have reach- ed Chenchiachwang, about eight] kilometres south of Yuncheng, apparently en route to Chuyai.

to

Meanwhile Japanese troops at Lincheng are attempting cross Weishan Lake. Reuter.

ADVANCE TO YUETAI

HANKOW. TO-DAY. THE JAPANESE HAVE AD- VANCED FROM TSINING SOUTHWARDS, MOVING ALONG THE WESTERN SHORE OF LAKE NANYUNG IN THE DIRECTION OF KUNSIANG AND YUETAI, ON THE FRONTIER OF KIANGSU,' ACCORDING TO RE- PORTS RECEIVED HERE.

BURGOS CLAIM ADVANCE

Burgos, To-day.

The insurgent advance has been resumed, and troops advancing southward have cut the Republi- can communications between Te- ruel and Albocacer,

the coast.

+

near

Further inland, the insurgents have gained six miles, increasing the threat to Castellon.-Reuter.

Tuesday to Wednesday.

The position in South-Shantung

Chinese reports from the scene of activities state that the Japanese and south of the Tientsin-Pukow advance has been stopped in the railway meantime by the arrival of Chinese (Ocean.

reinforcements.

No crossing of the Yellow River at the southern point of the pro- vince of Hopei-occurred yesterday, although the Japanese had massed a great number of regiments on the north bank of the Yellow River. GUERILLA ACTIVITY

It is assumed that the Japanese refrained from an attempt because they were seriously harrassed, by Chinese guerilla bands along the #north bank of the Yellow River.

According to reports received here these irregulars repeatedly attacked the Japanese during the nights of

is

unchanged.

CHINESE ADMIT WITHDRAWAL

The Home fleet on its way back from Gibraltar recently, was at- tacked by R.A.F. bombers, torpedo bombers and shore base motor tor- pedo boats. The red attacking force consisted of Naval ships and aircraft and the Blueland defenders consisted of various units of the R.A.F. Here are Royal Marines on board H.M.S. Repulse resisting air attack by anti aircraft gunfire. (Copyright).

8.5.

Mr. Gilbert A. Harriman, well-after having travelled by Trans-known figure on the local Turf, ar- Taiping from Australia to Manila, rived back in the Colony to-day where he remained for a short from Australia by m.v. Gneisenau period on business.

Hankow, To-day.

A Chinese communique con- firms the withdrawal of Chinese troops from Mengchen, in north Anhwei, west of Pengpu, on Monday.

Reinforcements are approach- ing Menchen in two columns, one reaching a point north west of Mengchen while the other has reached a point about 16 kilometres south of that city. -Reuter.

Japanese Diverting Attack On Failure At Taierchwang

Shanghai, To-day.. Having failed to break through at Taierchwang, the Japanese forces in Shantung, on the Tien- tsin-Pukow Line, are now attacking in a south- westerly direction, and South-West Shantung is likely to be the scene of the next major bat- tle for control of the Lung-Hai line.

The bridge across the Yellow moving towards Kwolteh, while re- River at Tainanfu has been repair-inforcements have arrived at Mong- cheng in ana attempt to strike at `ed and moro „Japanese troops are

Kwelteh from south-east... pouring Into Shantung from the Chinese troops are holding the

north.

From Taining, several Japanese brigades are striking across country,

Japanese at Mengcheng and a force battle is raging close to the town.

-Our Own Correspondent.

TRAVEL

PASSAGES BOOKED

AT

TARIFF RATES

ON ALL

PASSENGER LINES.

THE AMERICAN EXPRESS CO., INC.

Incorporated with Limited Liability in U.S.A.

No. 4. Des Voeux Road, Central.