'A severe armed clash between Chinese troops in the vicinity. of Taitsang, where. one unit of Na tional soldiers are said to be head-the Tmperial Japanese Miliary Head Army, was reported last right by
quarters here.
White the Japanese affeers state that they are unaware of the exact reason for the trouble. amongst the Ghinese battalions, they express their belief that a touting, for some Fenton, has occurred in the National im the Chinese forees around Shanghai lately, the Jupanese point out, Jdue to. the alleged failure on the part of the Chinese High Command fo pay the troops and distribute gift money sent to this country by Chinese residing abroad.
'A Japanese reconnoitring aeroplane, which investigated the Tai tang, istrict yesterday morris reported to. the Japanese Hea quarters here that the Chin. exe detachment, holding the north-west sector of Taitsang, yesterday apparently was repelling an attack launched by other [Chinese troops advancing from the southward. The firing is very heavy Jand continuous, with both sides using small ordnance and trench mortars, the Japanese aviator added. According to the Japanese report, fall the Chinese units which have been facing the Japanese outposts: Jat Taitsang were withdrawn several lays ago.
The report of the alleged fighting between the Chinese forces was ins cluded last night by the Japanese Military Headquarters in 'a denial Of a Chinese statement issued the previous day. This Chinese statenent averred that Japanese troops, fon the night of March 30, had launched a sudden offensive ayainst Taitsang and, on the following morning, had captured the village. The Japanese declare that their forces in front of Taitsang have-not moved from their positions and at the pres ent time, have no intention of do-observers: have vited by the Japanese to inspect the positions -in question: and verify this offal statement.
The belief was expressed "Inst evening by high Japanese offic that the Chinese issued the report of a Japanese attack to explain the fighting between the Chinese units, Jwhich they declare to be of a severe nature,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.