This evening it was reported in Shanghai that communication with Peking had broken down.
Yesterday morning telegrams could no longer be sent from Tientsin to Peking by wire, and as a consequence a service was inaugurated by those in charge of the telegraph service to have them despatehed to the capital and vice versa by motor lorry.
It is understood that this was successful for the twenty-four hours following, but news was received this evening that even this method had broken cavalry corps, the vanguard of the Southern forces, occupied a point, some seven miles from Palitai, 2 guard-line of the Japanese troops, at dawn to-day.
It seems that severe fighting has begun in the region of Chunliangfor the sound of rifle fung from that direction—Toho, Peking, June 7.
Telegraphic communication, which was interrupted yesterday, was restored for a short time during the course of the day, but the lines have been cut again this morning.
Tt appears that a small force of Shansi cavalry were the first to arrive at Nanyuan yesterday afternoon, They were followed shortly after by large detachments of the Kuominchun, estimated in some quarters at a total of 80,000 men, Last night the city gates were kept closed and barricades made of sandbags were constructed additional protection.
It is understood that General Yen Hsi-shan retired to Shihchiachuang after protesting against Marshal Feng Vu-hsiang's breach of the agreement under which Shansi was to occupy Peking and Tientsin.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.