Hankow, Apr. 22. "What is generally believed to be 1 decisive battle in the present war is, now being fought on the Lingyi front. A combined drive southward, converging on Taierchwang, is being made by the Japanese forces Yihsien, who have formed a junction with the Japanese troops at Lingyi, Hsiangehen -and Lanlingcheng. The strength of these forces is believed to be 200,000 men, comprising ten divisions and three regiments. The divisions are the 2nd, Sth, 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 13th, 14th, 11st and io sth.
General Sun Lien-chung's troops are holding the line at Likou, north of Taierchwang and south-east of Yinsien, from where they will attempt to halt the Japanese advance. The troops of General Tang En-po are holding the line at Siaoliangpi, Jeast of Likou, in order to check the Japanese from Hsiangchen and Lan-
Hankow, Apr. 22.
Preparations for "a ' large-scale Japanese operation to support the Shantung drive towards Heuchow by {driving northward up the Tientsin-Pukow railway are learned here to be now nearing completion.
Ten thousand Japanese troops are stated to be concentrated between Pengpu and Linghwailwan, ready to start their offensive at any moment. Chinese mobile units are fiking up positions all round this area to harass the Japanese communications, both and later, should they start to At the same time it is learned that Japanese engineers are busily xepalring the railway track and bridges damaged by Chinese mobile units in the northern sector of the Tientsin-Pukow railway between Tolan and Yenchow, in order, it is presumed, to rush reinforcements down towards Yihslen, Tsoochwang and Hanchwang, to add to the strength of the second supporting movement being made southward towards Hsuchow.
Hauchow is thus now beng throat tened from three separate /irections. south, north and north-east.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.