Japanese and Chinese Armies Clash Following Incident at Lukouchiao, Near Peiping WITH the suddenness and unexpectedness of a lightning flash came the news of an outbreak of armed hostilities between Chinese and Japanese forces in North China, at Lukuochiao (Marco Polo bridge), near Peiping, following a minor incident on the night of Wednesday, July 7. Both sides claimed to be the injured party, but were equally anxious to localise the trouble and come to an carly settlement of the whole affa Peiping, July 10, Twenty-four hours of tranquillity In North China have been shattered, according to an announcement by the Chinese authorities, by serious Aghting" between Chinese and Japanese troops. The Japanese are reported to be. furiously" attacking Wanping, the walled city near Lu-Kouchiao (Marco Polo Bridge), fol-Towing the alleged reoccupation of the place by Chinese troops.
By mutual agreement between the Chinese and "Japanese authorities, control of the city had been taken over by units of the Peace Preservation Corps under the command of Gen, Shih Vu-sen, this being one of the principal conditions of the Sino-Japanese settlement reached. yester-aay.
The attacking force, according to Chinese despatches, includes 600 men from Fengtai, supported by four tanks and 27 fleldspieces, and a detachment, from Turgchow, capital of the s0- Hopel. ren called autonomous State of - East
The resumption of fighting followed fu earlier engagement lasting half an hour.
All the gates leading into Peiping, which had been opened only this afternoon, have been closed again, while sandbags and other barricades are being hastily erected in strategic parts of the streets of Peiping, all of which have been completely cleared of civilians, All traffic was stopped at 8 o'clock fo might, with the exception of lorry-Toads of Chinese troops moving! towards the gates,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.