'The Japanese forces on the Hupeh-Hunan' border, after test attacks on the morning of December 8, launch-a vigorous offensive that night and also yesterday morning at two points the Chinese line, on the north bank of the Sintsiang River, cast of the Canton-Hankow Railway.
At the same time, the Japanese forces concentrated at Chiuling are said to be pushing towards Pingkiang, Jon the Hankow-Changsha highway.
Chinese reports claim that the Chinese forces in northern Hunan prov. ince are holding strong positions in the Mofusham mountain. range, which forms'a natural defence line north of Pingkiang.
The Chinese forces in Central Shansi, scattered in. the Chungtiaoshan mountains, continue to. harass the Japanese along the Tungpu Railway, it is reported here, The operations of these Chinese mobile columns are believed in Chiese citoles to be largely responsible for the delay in the projected Japanese invasion of China's north-west Provinces, as the Chinese in Shansi are constantly attacking Japanese rear communications.—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.