Tsingtao, Jan. 13.
Japanese troops advancing towards this city from Tsinan on Tuesday opened an attack on Chinese defence-works at Kaomi, about midway between here and Weihsien.
As a strong detachment of troops is now advancing westward from here, Japanese military authorities believed the entire railway would be cleared of Chinese units "very soon," permitting the reopening of railway service to Tsinan.
Very weak resistance is being offered by the Chinese force defending the railway, reports received here said.
Major Isaoshi Magata, resident Army officer, and his staff arrived here yesterday, opening their offices in a building across the street from the City Government Japanese troops were landed in Tsingtao at 9 o'clock yesterday morning. While a part of them was immediately assigned to duty in the city, others marched westward, along the Kiaotsi Railway.
Additional units were landed at the outer harbour at 7 o'clock this morning.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.