Twenty Thousand Commu ts City: Only Seven Miles from (Outraged City Hankow, August 28.
'A large number of Chinese re-fogoes arrived here today from Changsha. It seems that Generals Chi Hsu-tao and Liu Chien-chu are at loggerheads over the disposition of their individual troops and as to which faction should march out of Changsha to stem the advance of the Communist armies, It is reported that General Ho Chien's troops are doing their utmost to repel the Reds but, owing. to their lack of numbers, parts of the general defence lines are weakly 'The first meeting of the Bandit Suppression Conference was held to-day at the headquarters of General Ho Ying-ching. Delegates from the three provinces, Hupeh, Hunan and Kiangsi were' present.
In the course of his opening speech General Ho stated that there were nineteen Communist armies varying in strength from 1,000 men upwards, sonic poorly, others well equipped. He said they possess about 20,000 rifles and receive secret, support from Soviet. Russi He added that, following the Government victories on the Tsin Pu front, troops were being diverted to deal with bandit suppression, General Ho stated that the Third Training Division had already arrived in the Wu Han area and more troops. were due.
Mr, Wang Yun-hsi, representing the Kiangsi Provincial Go stated that net surrounding Nanchang, the 1, all villages and tow Kinngsi were infested by bandits or Communists, The Conference was adjourned, after various reports had been made, The second session opens to-
Situation Critical Hankow, Aug. 29, The situation in Changsha is now reported to be critical due to the pressure by the Communist troops from three directions, namely Pin-chiang, Livyang and Leiling, General Ho Chien is holding an important military conference in order to draw up defensive plans against the Com mounist attack—Rengo.
'A Changsha message states that! the Communist troops under the leadership of Chu Teh and Mao 1 already occupied now pressing to Changsha by way of Siangtan.
In the meanwhile, another batch of Communist troops, which are under the leadership of Peng Tehual, are coming down southward from Pingehiang, which has been evacuated by. the Government troops commanded by General La Lin. Three regiments under the command of General Chen Ta-chin and a brigade of soldiers have arrived at Changsha reinforcements, that region against the Communist menace.
Possible Attack on Wuchang Having fled from Changsha, over 1,500 refugees arrived here" this morning on board the str. Ganko Maru, Another Japanese "steamer which is to leave Changsha tomorrow is said to have been filled to capaty with refugees.
In view of the re less situation in Changsha, the jes of the Tocal Japanese Cor ate General situation become menacing. ing.
According toa certain military expert here it is learned that ai-though the troops under the command of Gen. Ho Chien. stationed now in Changsha total some 8,000 strong, it would be very difficult for his army to defend Changsha against the Communist, army under the command of Chu Teh and Moo Tse-tung which is some 20,000 strong.
In this connection it is further learned that, according to a message received by a firm here from Changsha the Communist army under the command of Chu Teh and fou Tee-tung is now advancing in a north-westernly direction, changing its route towards Changsha. Accordingly, it is rumoured that the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.