Hankow, Mar. 29.
ITH both armies engaged in a see-saw battle for possession of strategic cities in south Shantung, the Chinese and Japanese high commands are rushing fresh reinforcements to the Tientsin-Pukow Railway front for a decisive engagement, according to reports received here to-day. During the past 24 hours the Japanese are reported to have recovered much lost ground, including the recapture of Tsin and Lincheng. Chinese reinforcements are at present pouring into the area and taking up positions for a large scale offensive.
Gonoral Pai Chung-hsi, well-known Kwangal strategist, 1s now personally directing operations on the Chinese eft wing in west Shantung, In an effort to break through the Japanese right flank. His columns are now said to be advancing to attack Tslning and Tawenkou., At least ten crack—Kwangsi divisions are reported to be moving up into front-line positions: 'The majority of them, accords to Chi-neve sources, distinguistx' themselves in the Shanghai fy' by: holding on grimly to the 7. army Lotien line despite terrific Japanese artillery, aerial and naval bombardment, Cities Retaken, "After Chinese troops, in a smashing attack on all fronts, had entered Lincheng and 'Tsining, the Japenese command, Chinese reports state, mediately' poured fresh divisions into the field and drove the Chinese out of both cities, The latest despatches from Hsuchow fu state that Chinese troops entered Lincheng early on Monday morning and besieged the Jepanes. forces holding out at their eld head~ quarters inside the city wall. Japan-troops at Chi village, five kilo metres to the north-west' of Ts1ochwang, however, arrived at Lincheng yesterday: afternoon and drove the Chinese out of the city, Chinese troops are at present sure founding. 'Lincheng, Seslar malta' tlophone mest received this morning. at Hsushowtw from the hie fete commander ote the "Faning was only held by the Chi nese for avery brief while," Chl= nes troops ae ald to have entered thos ity throug the west a, only riven out on the. anal Generalissimo in Big Air Battle Hankow, Mar. 30, A narrow escape from death, experienced by General Chiang Kai-shek during his recent visit to the Tsinpu Railway fighting area, was revealed here to-da; While the Generalissimo was travelling to Hsuchow in his own aeroplane, escorted by four= teen Chinese' pursuit planes, 24 Japanese fighters suddenly appeared and attacked the Chinese machines, it is learned. The attack occurred in the neighbourhood of—Kweiteh, some hundred miles west of Hsuchow. In the furious fight which ensued, five Japanese machines were shot down. Two Chinese machines were also Jost. The Japanese finally withdrew and the Generalissimo Yeached Hsuchow unscathed, Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.