and Routed Peking, July 18, 1.5 p.m.
The 15th Division attacked Wu Pei-fu's troops who retreated to near Kaopeitien (about 50 miles south of Peking on the Peking-Hankow line), but threw out a brigade on the right which outflanked the 15th, two regiments of which surrendered. The remainder of the 15th hastily retreated, were fired on the 1st Frontier Division, losing and subsequently left the field, seized a train and retreated on Peking. A number of troops of the ist Frontier Division also evacuated the field. Altogether about 6,009 men have returned. They are at present looting Nanyuan (about nine miles south of Peking). All the gates of the city are closed.
is reported that Wu Pei-in's troops have occupied Kuangtsun, (about 12 miles south of Peking on the Peking-Tientsin line).
The debacle of Tuan Chi-ju's army is believed to be complete, their defeat being due to Wu Pei-fu's superior strategy.
Wu Pei-fu's troops ace rapidly advancing. Intense excitement reigns in the capital.
The ex-Imperial family have requested the Diplomatic Corps to investigate the truth of the report of an intended restoration of the monarchy, and have asked for foreign protection.
'A Brest Near Haxow.
Hankow, July 17.
There was a slight engagement last night between the soldiers of General Wang Chang-yuan, Tuchun of Hupeh, and those of General Wu Kuang-hsin in the neighbourhood of the railway line and the station. Some alarm was caused. There was rifle and machine gum fire, but it did not last for half an hour. The volunteers were called out but were dismissed this niorning. Chinese kept pouring into the Concessions during the night. Everything is quiet this morning, though there is still the possibility of a further outbreak. Tt is reported that General Wu Kuang-hsin has been taken prisoner at Wuchang.
Visitors to Chikunshan have been vnable to proceed as the train was taken off last night.
Cxanc Tso-Lin Apvances, Tientsin, July 18.
General Chang Tso-lin is heavily reinforcing the Chibli men: troop trains from Mukden are hourly passing through Tientsin en route to the front.
The Chihliites' offensive is developing favourably. Last night the Anfuites were evacuating Yangtsun, though the station was still held by their rearguard at midnight.
The imprisoned students were unconditionally released on the Civil Governor's orders here yesterday. They were enthusiastically greeted by relatives and friends, In addition to the five British warships under Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Duff, two Japanese torpedo boats arrived here yesterday evening.
Railway communication between Peking and Tientsin has been reopened.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.