Changteh, Feb. 8.
Breaking a three-months' deadlock, Japanese troops on Sunday launched a surprise drive southward, seeking to catch the Chinese troops entrenched along the Lunghai line by pi pincer-like movement.
One detachment, operating along the Peking-Hankow line, walled town or Nanlo, south Taming, early yesterday morning. Despite bitter resistance, the Chinese defenders of the town were forced to flee, leaving behind 1,000 bodies, Japanese military authorities announced here to-day.
Other Japanese units steadily drove Chinese troops northward, towards Hsuchow.
More ihan 7,000 bodies were left On the fields of battle near the Hwai River during eight days, from Jan-vary 28.—Domei.
Hankow, Feb. 8.
A movement which, if successful, would bring the Japanese forces Operating across country from the Southern section of the Tientsin-Pukow Railway within striking distance of Kweiteh, on the Lunghai Railway, is being attempted by the Japanese, according to official Chinese dispatches received here to-day.
The Japanese, it is stated, are trying to advance in a north-westerly direction from Hwaiyuan, with Meng-chen, on the Kwo River, as their immediate objective.
From Mengchen, which is about forty miles from Hwaiyuan, the Japanese are credited with the intention of continuing on towards Pohsien (Pochow), near the border of Honan, which would place them roughly 36 miles south of Kweiteh.
Despite Japanese attacks, the Chinese are said to be holding their positions along the Kwo River.
Japanese s ffüicially admitted. he.
The epu of Hwaiyuan by We town, it ff stated, was occupied by them rom 5.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.