In another engagement, near Pal-on, a Chinese force of 1,000 retreated, afer losing a tenth of its number. Chinese troops in Lanfeng, compris: ting the 160h and the 195th divisions, Were algo said to be "gradually retreating" westward, fina clash near Lanfeng, a Japanese column, according to the spokesman, on Friday eaplured 16 machine-guns and 80,000 rounds of ammunition.
Press reports received ere last night indicated that the withdrawal of Chinese troops may have been caused by the Japanese attack on the walled town of Chihsien, nine miles south of Lanfeng. The attack was launched on Thursday morning ud was still in progress Jate yester~ day "Decisive Battle"
'Hankow, May 21, Heavy troop movements, it 3s reported here, are now going' on behind The Chinese lines for the now generally accepted "decisive battle" of the "bastites. Between China and Japan, 'Grack Chinese divisions from wangs, Kwangtung, Yunnan, Hunan dnd' Beethuen provinces, itis stated, fre now being rushed to front line Positions.
"They are reported to be moving wp aly direction, some heading' for the Lunghat Railway and others for 'AL the same time, the, Chinese air force, with the arrival of new bom. ing end pursuit planes, is expected toftake.an active role in supporting {he Chinese. defence.
fieavy Aighting 1s going on at pre~ sent Wo the. northeeast of Lanfeng, Strategic point on the Lainght Rail fvay' about thirty miles east of Kale Tonk, "Chinese. Feporte stale, The Sapanese forces, after cutting the Tnhghal Railway inthe. vicinity of Eainuang and Yiteng, east of Lan feng, ave suid to be pushing west-wands towards that ity Tanteng Is generally considered to bevihe key city of Honan on. the Langhat Railway. If this important Strategic Position fall, at feng, the Capital of Honan, cannot be held, it fs'inought in Chinese circles eve.
'The Chinese forces on the Lunghat Railway, it is considered, "would. in that instance' be compelled. to. fall bik In the direction of Chengchow, bout fly miles west of Kaifeng.
"The situation of Lanfeng. was. at one time. most eritcal, when. one division of Japanese troops was used forattace the city the timely arrival of Chinese re-Inforcements, "and also a severe counter-attack by a strong detach-iment of Chinese troops preceded by heavy' tanks, saved the situation, according to Chinese reports.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.