In the absence of any information as to the strength of the two rebel columns, or of the numbers of the Government troops opposing impossible to estimate nation in the Suifu-Luchow Of the 10,000 northern troops stationed at and around Chengtu it is not known how many have been spared for operations against the rebels. Then, of the '7th and 3rd divisions of the Expeditionary Force concentrating at Chungking we do not know how many have taken the field in this direction. There are, however, various reasons for supposing that many Government troops cannot yet have come upon the scene. In which case, if the rebels are force at Nachi and Suifu, they are not likely to be turned out immediately.
Tt is by no means clear that all the rebel forces are at Suifu and Nachi. The official report stated a few days ago that the 3rd Division had marched southward from Chungkinz, and it is known that considerable force of Kueichow troops are on their own border near Kikiang. Evidently the Government commander is anxious about his left flank, or he would not send such an important part of his force la this direction. These Kueichow
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