Peiping, Feb, 19.
Japanese reinforcements are pouring into Shansi province. where the Japanese have launched a vi efrensive, from Manchoukuo via the Peiping-Hankow Railway.
n of the Japanese drive in Shansi, according to official J sources here to-day, is to ce the clearance, from the southern half of the province, of all opposition, which is estimated to be composed of divisions of Shansi provincial and seven divisions of Central ment forces, in addition to several thousand Communists engaged in guerilla warfare.
The Japanese are claimed to be making good progress in their push. The centre and main body is said to be occupied at Fenchow, about 60 railes south-west of Taiyuanfu, the former provincial capital; the right column is stated to be driving towards Linhsien, while the left flank reported to be advancing from Pingyao, which was captured yester-
Meanwhile, another column is reported to have entered the province in the south-east from North Honan, ard is claimed to have advanced to within 25 miles north-east of Luanfu.
For some time the Chinese forces in Shansi have threatened, jointly with the main Chinese army, (0 prevent the Japanese sweeping over the Yellow River in force end taking control of thb Lunghai Railw Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.