Hankow, Oct. 15.
Japanese forces are reported to have Janded on the north bank of the Yangtze River, above Kichun, and fighting is at present going on at Maoshanpu, with Japanese aircraft heavily bombing the Chinese positions there, in support of the Japanese advance, which is being "stubbornly resisted."
On the south bank of the Yangtze, it is stated, Japanese troops are now converging on Yangsin, strategic city on the highway to Tayeh. Severe fighting is also reported in the vicinity of Lungkang, southwest of Yanghsin, which the Japanese are said to be attacking from Kingshuipu. Another Japanese column, Chinese reports declare, ha appeared north of Sintangpu and is pushing towards Yanghsin.
The Japanese troops, which landed on the south bank of the River, in the vicinity of Sisaishan, occupied Chinese positions there today, and fighting ensued at Yuanchiayu, further inland.—Reuter. where Japanese landings were effected three days ago, repeated his performance today. His subsequent report to Reuter was as follows:
"The main naval concentration stil) lies of Hachung, but throughout Bias Bay He sinaller groups, some of which are anchored while others are moving.
"I witnessed three transports landing troops at Dumbell Bay, very close to British territory.
"There was No sign of the defenders, no shot was fired and there wa neither burry nor excitement as 50 rowboats, crammed with soldiers, crossed and re-crossed from the ships to the shore.
"Away in the distance, Hachung was blazing fiercely, while another village, Believed to be Pakong, was also burning, thus lending colour to earlier report: that the Chinese Air Force had carried out raids here.
"Flying over the British border, we crossed io Deep Bay. on the opposite side of Kowloon Penninsula, and anchored at Taishan Island was à Japanese destroyer and seaplane servicing pontoon. Closer in shore, near Namtau there was a large concentration of junks recently commandeered by the Japanese, which may later be used for landing operations.
"Again flying over the border, 1 looked in vain for a refugee influx Nothing untoward was evident, however, and the villagers were usual peaceful pursuit
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.