Fighting in Central Hupeh coatinues with great severity and, according to Chinese reports, heavy casualties are being suffered by both sides. The Chinese troops are said io be putting up strong resistance. Important Chinese military leaders are understood to be directing opera-lions at the front.
In the southern part of the line. the Japanese are said to have entered Sientaochen on March 2, but to have retired on the following day.
The fighting is said to have been most severe on the northern section of the Hankow-Ichang road. The Japanese are reported to have entered Chungtsiang on March 5.
Ichang and Shasi remain quiet. No orders to prepare for evacuation have yet been issued by the authori-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.