Hankow, June 24, Several Japanese warships steamed up the Yangtze River yesterday and reached Matung, where the Yangtze River boom is located, according 10 Chinese reports received here from Kiukiang, Afler ~exchai fre with Chinese batteries ashore, the reports say, the vessels withdrew down river, Japanese Land Near Tungiiu Mankow, June 24 Between five and six thousand Japanese landed at noon today in the vicinity of Sinngkou, 23 Kilometres south-cast of Tungliu, on the south bank of the Yangtze, according Chinese military communique.
The landing wax made under cover of heavy aerial and naval bombardment, with no less than 20 Japanese warships participating.
This Japanese action has caused considerable anxiety here, asthe Japanese are expected to launch rive on the south bank overland on the boom at Matung, which is. immediately west of Tungliu, and ulflank the Chinese shore batteries protecting the boom.
'Three Japanese aeroplanes appeared carly this morning over Pengtseh, south-west of Matung. where. the Yangtze River boom' is located, machine-gunning the area, says. the communique.
Chinese Aviation Headquarters announces that a squadron of Chinese bombers yesterday afternoon appeared over Tungliu and heavily bombed suit, they sald—Domel, Hsiangkou, south-east of Tungfiu, near the Matung boom, the scene of major Sino-Japanese fighting has now shifted to the south bank of the Yangtze River.
According to the atest oficial Chi-Inese report from the front, the Chinese, after being heavily reinforced, have inflicted a severe defeat on the fanes at Hsiangkou, The Japan-are claimed to be in full retreat following a Chinese counter-attack, which has hitherto resulted inthe capture of Hslangkou, 'A. Chinese military communique says that 30. motor launches loade? with Japanese troops attempted to Jeffect 'a landing in. the vicinity of HTungliu yesterday morning, but were repulsed.
At the same time, the Japanes" forces at Tikang are said to have Jattaeked the Chinese positions on the hills at Niushiehlin and Laohutow without success, Twenty Japanese warships are stated to be concentrated at present Tikang lo support Japanese land nit operations. Tatung, on the south of the Yangtze," was heavily shelled by three Japanese gunboats yesterday, after which eight Japanese aeroplanes raided Fanchang, east, of Tikang.
Bitter fighting is reported to be going on at Matung, on the Yangtze, and also at Hsiangshan, Malang, according 10 a the Chinese military spokesman today, Japanese troops at Hslangshan, the spokesman declared, are occupying positions to the north-east of the town, while the Chinese forces are situated to the south-west of Hsiang-shan, 'The Chinese, the spokesman on, are "attacking " vigorously," an' attempt to prevent the Japanese from establishing a foothold on the south bank of the Yangtze—Reuter, Chinese Surrender Kaifeng, June 24.
Four thousand Chinese soldiers, remnants of former organized Jarmies, abandoned their arms and surrendered to the Japanese Army in the Kaifeng area today, Japanese authorities claimed. "More " Chinese Jstrayglers are expected to follow
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