Hankow, June 11, Fears that the penetration of the Southwest forces into Hunan will Jead to hostilities grew nearer convietion to-day as trains laden with Government "troops from Hankow continued to sot out for Changsha, the provincial capital of Hunan. Several war planes are reported to have left Changsha for the south to support the Government troops there case hostilities break out. It is believed, however, that the Government will Leave the initiative to the Southwestern troops, as Nanking is Janxious to avoid a clash unless becomes inevitable, Meanwhile, (reaps from the north are expected to pass through Bane kow on route lo Hunan, Government forces stationed south of Changsha are continuing to withdraw. It Is believed, however, that there are still some Hunanese troops in Hengchow, on which a force of about 40,000 Southerners is advancing from. Kiyang and Chenchow.
Considerable aerial activity was witnessed in the neighbourhood of Hankow to-day, when planes humnmed over the city, presumably on fest Mights. A high Hunanese oflcial, interviewed at Changsha, de-lared that the provincial capital was quite safe. There was no need, he said, for any anxiety.
'The report that a warning has been issued (o American nationals in South Hunan to hold themselves in' read ness to evacuate in case of emergency incorrect—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.