Shanghai, Nov. 12 aulitanese army forces early yester-dey were Tanded on the banks of the Yenytze River at we points north Of Yothowg strategic stronghold dene soding. the eporoach fo. Sungting Lao, "2 communique. issued bythe qeatauarters of the Japanese Expeditimaty'Foree to. Central China yes-fore, the announcement 7d, studded the "river "near. Linsang, stout 80 kilometres north-east of Ye: tow: whilerthe other. landed 1m the Seiity of Chenglengéan, eight, kilo low Yochow on te Yana Wreahed inthe ely, 2 "PO meantime, dspatehes. from Domei Correspondents with the. apanese column moving southward clone the Genton-Hankow "oilway" sala' the Hanes "forees_ were how looking ben "Yochowr from "newigcoce @heithis near the algo ing flames and smouldering. ruins stretching for nearly half a mile.
Nobody, however, is understood to have been killed oF injured.
It is reliably reported here that the foreign missionaries at Sinyang and Hanchwang, on the Pelping-Hankow Railway, are all safe. Both towns are in the hands of the Japan-of Changsha is Expected Hankow, Nov. 13:
Changsha is now expected to fall within the week as a result of an amazingly sudden advance by the Japanese, according to foreign reports from that city received here today, Complete panic has reigned there for the past forty-eight hours, continue the reports, and the Chinese civilian population is evacuating by all available means, by junks, sim-Pans or on foot, while Chinese troops and wounded soldiers are retreating to the west and south. Their general morale is reported to be bad. Sporadic firing Is reported to have been heard when the soldiers endea-youred to commarfder small craft and other forms of conveyance. One bullet accidently hit the British gunboat Sandpiper.
The local Government departed last night or this morning and telephonic and telegraphic communications are dead, add the reports. Practically the entire city on the mainland was in flames this morning, the reports declare, but British property on the foreshore and Yale University, two miles down river, appear to be intact.
Meanwhile, Changsha's foreign community is reported to be safe and Well. There is no consul at Changsha ut Lieut.-Commander Eames, of the taken regarding the protection of foreign lives and property in the event of the hostilities reaching the Hunan capital.
'The foreign community, which a fow weeks ago numbered 106, including 19 Britons, has already' held a meeting and the situation there is reported to be well in hand.
The British river gunboat Sandpiper (185 tons) is now in Changsha.
Maps marking British property in Changsha and Ichang were shown to Colonel Hirota and Lieutenant 'Colonel Nakayama this morning by the British Naval authorities, when the Japanese officers returned the' [call made yesterday by Rear-Admiral /R. V, Holt, Commander of the British Yanetse Flotilla, on General Hata, Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Army in Central China—Reuter Shipping Activity at Hankow Increased hankow, Nov. 12
Unprecedented activity has taken place on the Yangtze River in the past fortnight in connection with the Occupation of Hankow.
"Between October 26 and November 8, 1,738 vessels entered port, including 71 transports, 70 supply ships, 7500 small craft, 29 tugs and ten tankers. During that time 849 vessels eft the harbour.
The above figures refer to actual entries and departures of vessels but Goubtless there were many repeated fain might seize the food supply stocked by the foreigners, has apparently been allayed.
It is now surmised that the gueril-Jas, whose immediate requirements are winter clothing rather than food, will endeavour to break the Japanese "cordon in the near future—
Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.