Deploy Along Yangtze as Result of Latest Move Nanking, June 16.
Japanese naval and infantry forces "are steadily extending their operations in the Yangtze River area beyond Anking, according to reports received here today.
Japanese commanders here. stated that Hankow's first defence line is "on the verge of collapse" as a result of the fall of Anking.
Occupation of a triangular area 200 kilometres deep with a line linking Wuhu and Luchow as its base, has made it impossible for Chinese soldiers to be deployed effectively along the Yangtze, Japanese military officers here declared.
Kwangsi forces under Gen. Li Tsung-jen concentrated in the vicinity of Huan and Shangcheng have exposed their right wing to Japan-exe attacks and were said to be having difficulty in maintaining their positions, The capture of Anking was reported to have had an adverse effect on the morale of the Chinese troops.
Oficial reports to Japanese authorities said that the occupation of Anking had been completed so swiftly that damage to dwellings and other civilian establishments had been min-
Chinese Counter-Attack Hankow, June 16.
Heavy fighting is now in progress on the highway between Hofei and Shuchen, west of Taohsicheng, while cne Chinese column is pushing for-orang to a Chinese military ard in the direction of Shuchen,
cofnmunique today.
At the same time it is stated that, following the arrival of reinforcements, the Chinese are launching a furious counter-attack in the Anking sector.
'A military despatch from\ the front lest night reported that the Chinese had recaptured Anking. Later messages, however, indicated that, while fighting was in progress on the outskirts of the city, the Chinese had not yet occupied it.
Chinese troops yesterday occupied Liushoushan (Ox Head Mountain) near Anking, according to a Chinese military communique, The despatch stated that eight Japanese warships were at present cruising the river, east of Anking.
At Tatukou, on the south bank of the river, opposite Anking, the Chinese forees were stated to have surrounded a detachment of Japanese troops which had landed on the south bank and were using Tatakou as their base of operations in the Anking sector.
The communique claimed that Chinese artillery had sunk six Japanese motorboats and more than 20 canvas boats, inflicting many casualties on the opposing forces—Reuter.
Chinese Digging In Shihchiachwang, June 16, Chinese reinforcements are being rushed to points south of Chengchow, apparently for the purpose of making a stand against the Japanese advance in that region, Dugouts are being prepared and positions strengthened at Sincheng, Yencheng, Sniping, Kioshan> and Hsinyang along the Peiping-Hankow Railway, according to information received here, Chinese troops which evacuated Kaifeng and Chengchow were reported to be digging in at the new positions—Domei Cholera Epidemic in
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