'The number' of Japanese army planes: brought into' action at the Langfang' fighting, which had been five at o'clock, was increased to 17 later as the battle wore on, according to the Central News.
The merciless bombardment by the large squadron of Japanese machines killed and wounded many civilians, in addition to a number of Chinese troops.
The Aghting, according to the latest oficial dispatches, was started by the Japanese troops at half an hour after midnight, and the Chinese troops had received orders not to return the fre, Bringing machine-gunl, trench mortars, and tanks into play, the Japanese launched a severe attack on the Chinese positions without any Chinese resistance for. the first two hours, and occupied the Langfang oilway station, 'The Chinese troops began to return the fire at 230 o'clock yesterday Jmorning, the Central News continues, The Chinese troops which took part in the fighting belonged to the ath Division, consisting of only two battalions,' while the Japanese reinforcements rapidly increased to over 2,000 men. approval, declared Dr. Hi. H. Kung, Chinese Minister of Finance, when interviewed to-day by Reuter rogard-Ing the North China crisis, 'Dr, Kung expressed the opinion that this was a test case to decide whether North China would become Japan province or would retain its Proper position as part of a. united Chin 'His Government; he said, greatly: appreciated the friendly' interest shown by' the governments of Great Britain, France and the United States In the present grave crisis—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.