Peiping, Sept. 11.
After having remained for some time on the ground, heavy Japanese bombers reappeared this morning, leaving Tientsin to participate in the [Japanese offensive against Machang. [Machang has been the objective of Japanese forces for a month.
After their retreat from Tientsin jat the end of July, the Chinese forces reassembled and joined up with troops along the Yungting River from the Peiping-Hankow Railway, and impeded the Japanese advance by rail to Machang.
The Chinese forces, whose morale is reported to be high as the result of the resistance of their fellow soldiers at Shanghai, have persistently harassed Japanese communications between Tientsin and Chinghai, occupying villages west of the Grand Canal and the railway.
The progress of the Japanese Beyond Chinhai is most dificult because the territory has been converted into a sea of rfid on both sides of the track. Farmers have fied from the villages owing to the proximity of hostilities, and the kaoliang has afforded ample shelter for the Peace Preservation Corps and snipers.
With the turn of the weather yesterday, the Japanese forces, after prolonged preparation—the noise of which was distinctly audible in Tientsin—launched an offensive against the Chinese positions. along the Machang canal and Liuhochen.
Japanese infantry, wearied by their inability to attack in force, welcomed the turn of events and, according to Japanese despatches, launched a general offensive with great clan, Villages Inundated and
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.