Engagements were said to have oclourred on the Chungchich River, five kilometres south-west of - Lotien, where sbout 400 Chinese entrenched on the eastern bank of the stream were said to have been routed, while another Chinese force of undetermined strength was reported as having abandoned hills to the east of the Yehchia River, eight kilometres feast of Lotien, before the Japanese advance.
Another Japanese column was reported to be in the vicinity of Taipingchiao, 16 kilometres south-west, of Lotien:
Along the lower Yangtze, Japanese [troops were also active in anti-
said. guerilla "operations, "Domei reports In a surprise attack upon Fachiohsiang, 10 kilometres, sows-west of Yangchow, on the north bank of the Yangtze opposite Chinkiang, a guerilla band belonging to the Chinese Fourth Route Army, a newly organized unit consisting mostly of irregulars, was said to have been put to rout. The [Chinese left 40 dead behind, according {to a Domei dispatch.
Meantime, dispatches based upon Jaeriat observation reports indicated a widespread. movement of Chinese troops along the south bank of the Chientang River towards Sioshan, ithe railhead opposite Hangchow.
This was interpreted in Japanese military circles as foreshadowing a wholesale rettest of Chinese troops [from north Chekiang in an effort to salvage men and equipment in the face of a Japanese thrast to their rear from the direction of Nanchang.
Chinese troops, according to Chinese reports received here today, have recaptured Hsuanchen, southeast of Wuhu, a strategic city in Anhwei province situated at the junction of the railway Large Chinese forces, however, [were still reported to be in the vicin= ity of Ningpo, Japanese Advance Held Up Chungking, Nov. 20, The Japanese "advance In North xlengel ig at present held up. the north, bane ofthe sku. river, while "the Japanese forces "on. the Hupeh-Hunan highway are being. faded by Chinese troops tu the vieit= ity of Chiuling, north of the Mott-shin mountain ranges, recording despateh. from General Chen "Chen, who is In charge of operations on the auth barile of the. Yangtze.
"The Japanese troops pushing south ward along the Canton-Hankow Rall-Way, he adds, are Doing engaged by the "Chinese in the mountaing south of) Yochow, "inthe vicinity. Matong. Chinese' mobile columns in the. Japanese' rear, the General claims, have recaptured Tsung Sang, where the Hunan-Hupeh high Railway.
Wave approaches the Canton-Hankow
Wide powers have been given to various "war area. commanders in Grder to enable them to lake swift independent action im accordance with the Chinese. Governments new mobile warfare tactics, according. Chinese press. reports-—Teute.
Attack on Northwest Predicted Chunaking, Nov. 20, Wetlintormed observers here prediet an carly attempt by the Japanese forees to invade the Northwest Prov-Ices, probably advancing towards Siam the. capital" of "Shensiy and strategic railway, highway and alt way centre.
apanese' artillery In "southern shan on the. north bank of the {Yellow Riverbend, have been dally helling Tungkewan, which isn. im= portant pass-on. the south bank of the river and. generally. considered the gateway to China's Northwest.
estimated "thatthe Japanese "are ting an average of 400 shells. a day "fu the meantime, their aircraft have ere,
been subjecting Sian to most severe Bombing At present the Chineg®atthorities there. are evacuating" the Glulian' population and. also, making sniltary preparations. in noticpation hosthities i that-area—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.