From Sinkiang to the seaboard of China is not to them so far, distant though it looks, for have they. not already footed every mile of it, some from Fukien right through ' great circles in the centre to were they are now, and to where they will get if they escape over the mountain barrier through Kansu, The distance they have already traversed is remarkable. Nor have they done it at their own leisure, They have been forced all the way by the pressure of attackers behind them. - Most of the distance has been under foreed-march conditions.—In reallly much of it has been covered on the run, Hundreds of miles of mountain trails have been traversed at a remarkable pace, and If the Reds unite now and keep going "hey will, in due course, establish themselves in Sinkiang, where with Soviet nursing, they might grow into a formidable menace. to China in time, to come, In the northern sector, the main body of Reds, under Hiu Halangchien, are infesting the Kiutingshan mountains in the vicinity of Mow: hsien, some 80 miles north of Cheng, fon the Sungpan River, They evidently are seeking to cross the river in continuance of their westerly drive, and information gleaned from captives suggests that they hope to effect a junction with the Reds from the south at Mowkung, on the Siaokin River, about 100 miles due west of Chengtu. In the vicinity of Kwel-biwa, the Reds are suffering from great scarcity of ammunition and medical supplies, and dead and wounded lie piled together without any attention.
Meanwhile, the southern Commun: fists still are occupying the country round Lutingkiao, about 110 miles southwest of Chengtu, where heavy Aghting is going on. The Government hold Tatsienlu, an important strategic point north-west of Luting-Kiao. The Reds do not appear to be seeking to enter the mountains, but, the contrary, are endeavouring direction of each other—Reutet, Routes to Hills Blocked Chengtu, June 6 All routes leading to the mountain. ous regions are now blocked to the west and north. The Reds are be. lieved to be concentrating on a last desperate attack on Ya-an.—United Press, Chengtu, June 6.
On the morning of June 2, a Red division moved against Mengfukaung, about 90 miles from Chenglu, but were driven off. On te following day. the Government troops at Fuchong, to the west of Mengfukaung. divided into two columns and at: tacked the Communists, who fled towards Lutingkiao.
The same day, another engage-men: occurred ai Shingmiamshang, which resulted in the Communi advance northwestward towards Ys an being checked.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.