"Hsuchow, Oct. 21.
Since the declaration of war against the Northwestern Army, the Lung-Hai and Tientsin-Pakow Railways are crowded with trains folly loaded with troops, arms and ammunitions; but so far there is no actual warfare in the front.
8.50 this morning, Gen. San Chi-sen, Commander of the "Pei ping" armoured car arrived here from Chengchow. He said that he was under instructions from the Headquarters to patrol the Kaifeng-to Hsuchow and back again. The "Great Wall" and the "Yunkwei armoured cars are responsible for the Peking Hankow Railway. The No. 1 and No. 2 "Chunshan" are now in Kunghsion and Yunyang, respectively, west of Chengchow. battle is raging in the vicinity of Jungyang, on the Lung-hai Railway, between the forees under General Tang Sen-Chi and the Kuominchun General Sun Liang-chen, but no details of the fighting are given.
Jungyang is in north-Honan, roughly 17, miles south of the Huangho (Yellow River) and about the same distance west of Chengchow, the junction of the Peking-Hankow and the Lung-hai Railways.
Heishibkuan, where hostilities first broke out is reported to be im the hands of Kuominchun troops.
Meanwhile the transportation of reinforcements to the front. tinues, the latest troops to go being those under the command of General Hsia Teo-yin, who have hitherto been garrisoning Wuchane, with the jeonsequence that the Wuhan cities fare at present practically denuded lof troops—Reuter, The Order for an Attack Nanking, Oct. 22, Questioned on the strength of Gen. Sun Liang-chen, the Keominchun Commander, General Sun told the writer phar the Northwestern Army has four armoured ears, the "Equality," "Livelihood," "Taishan" and Extra Japanese Gunboats for Yangtze Tokyo, Oct. 22. view of the doubtful aspect along the "Yangtze valley, the apanese naval authorities on' October 21 ordered the 24th Destroyer Flatilia (Destroyers Momo, Yanagi, Kaki and Hinoki), which is attached to the Sasebo Naval Port, to. standby for a quick departure for the Yangtze ports for the protection of Japanese residents, there, whenever such is urgently required.
Tt is further reported that the flotilla has completed the necessary proparations.—Iengo.
Wachow, oct. 22.
The two Kuangtung divisions under Commanders Hsiang Han-ping and Vu Han-mou, which have been instructed to advance to Nanning to occupy the city, are reported have halted at Sunchow upon formation that the loyal Kwangsi units are awaiting reorganization. Ie is stated that all Kuangtang will shortly Tetum to their original garrisons in Kuangtung—Kuo Min.
Severe Fighting om Langhai Hankow, Oct. 22.
According to an official wireless despatch received here to-day, a The Central Government has received a telegram from Genera: Tang Song-chi, Commander of the Sth Route Army, urging that the order for a general offensive against the Kuominchun insurgents be immediately issued. General Tang expresses confidence that the campaign can be concluded within. a short time with Tungkwan captured the Government forces within ten, days from the time of issuing of the onder.
Skirmishes are reported to have occurred last night between the 5th Route Army and the rebel troops under San Liang-chen in the vicinity of Heishihkuan, The two opposing forees are stated to be about 800 metres from each other.
According" to Military Intelligence reports, Sun Liang-chen has arrived at Loyang, but his troops there are considerably Jess than were pre-issly reported to be, A number of river boats have been command: cered by the rebel Kuominchun leader for the transportation of troops down river—Kuo Min.
**°The above news is probably 24 hours older, if not more, than the preceding Hankow message.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.