Nanking, June 25.
Troops of the Kwangst Provincial Government yesterday Iaunched a surprise attack on the forces of the Central Government, in the suburbs of Hengchow, Hunan, according to odal telegrams received here to-@ay from Hunan, The Central troops resisted the attack, but suffered many astaltles, ast night, the ity of Wengchow was still In the hands of the Central forces—United Press.
(This. message is confirmed others from Hongkong and Hankow.)
Government in Controt Hankow, June 20. Central Government troops are completely masters of southern Hunan gs far south as Yungchow, 15 miles from the Kwangsi border, according forelgn'and Chinese observers who have just arrived here from that region, Two days ago, they declare, conditions at Hengchow and elsewhere were quite tranquil, and it would seem that the clashes reported Yo have occurred between Nanking and Kwangs! forces could have been Hittle more than mere skirmishes.
In dhe opinion of these observers, the Kwangsi troops remaining southern Hunan, of whom they saw no signs at any stage of their journey, fare too few and scattered seriously to attack the Government forces, who are massing in formidable numbers.
two women attached to the Church of England Missionary Society, who Teached Hankow from Yungchow today, Report that Government troops oeeipled Yungchow on June 23. Previously, the town had been in the hands of Kwangsi troops, but these Immediately fled towards the border on the appearance of the Government men, The rival forces formed. a striking contrast, they said, T1l-equipped and ragged, Kwangs!'s sol-Giers,, most of them mere striplings, obviously were no match for the others, whose discipline and general conduct were impressive.
During their occupation of Yung chow, Kwangsi students made speeches in the schools which were of strong nti-Japanese sentiment, but they emphatically declared that "Chinese troops, will never fight Chinese troops, The two women travelled by to, Her nua Journey they met no les lorries crammed with Government troops, moving from Hengchow Kiyang, Both these places are strong~ ly held, the streets being literally packed "with imposing numbers of men in the blue and grey uniforms of the Government, Artillery and Supply Wwaggons everywhere are in evidence.
According to some Chinese _merchants who arrived here from Hengchow to-day, that city seems to be almost impregnable against ottacke with any such resources as are evailfable to the Southern troops. The Government, they declared, also seven gunboats standing by at Changsha, ready to steam south at a moment's notice.
Meanwhile, H.MS, Falcon has replaced H.M.S, Scarab, and is now Standing by at Changsha with ELMS. Cockchafer and several American and Japanese vessels, There are throe British missionaries fat present at Yungchow—Bishop P. Stevens, of the Church Missionary Society, and the Rev. A. G, Leigh and Dr, 'T, W, Outerbridge, of the Methodist Missionary Society; one American at Hengchow, Dr. R. A. Broady, of the American Presbyterian Mission; and one American at Chenchow, Dr, J. A. Steipgham, of the same society Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.