After the successful completion of the Japanese drive upon Hankow, an important part of which proceeded from Wuhu westward through Hofei to the Peiping-Hankow Railway, Japanese troops were withdrawn from all areas west of Hotel and its repaired railway, connecting Hofei with the Yangtze River across from Wuhu, About three months Sung Se-K'a, a local central Anh man, was given charge of the task of suppressing banditry and or; Ing the guerilla forces in the centr Anhwei area, Gen. Sung, with other oticers Chi Kwang-en and Hsia Shuct'an, are in charge of u part of the Sixth' Route Division of the guerilla forces, a Kwangst organizi tion made up of about half Anhwei Gradually Gen. Sung has been able to bring things under control unfit Wanditey' is at present almost known In the rural areas; the farmers fare returning to their "homes, and the entire countryside is planted to spring wheat. 'There is no opium being' planted under Chinese control Jed territory in this district, and. the crude opium Is very expensive, selling for the prohibitive price of §20 per In the Iait month but three con-
Aicts have occurred between the opposing forces. The railway was torn up by the guerillas once; inter~ rupting service for a few days. Two weeks ago the Japanese garrison went out into the south country about 20 1 to attack; returning with about twenty men less. On the evening of February 21 the guerillas attacked the city, fung upon the guards at three of the city gates; making a lot of noise but doing very little damage. It is, however, an indication that the Chinese guerilla forees are getting better prepared for either driving the Japanese out of central Anhwei, or taking over after they have voluntar~ ily evacuated from unprofitable or untenable territory.
Motor Roads Destroyed All motor roads formerly, running! from Hotel north to. the Tientsin=
Pukow railroad, westward to Luan. chow and the Honan border, "and southward to Anking have been torn by the guerillas to prevent movements of the Japanese motorized Jnomes. But business is very lively in every little trading village on all sides, beyond 20 Li of the city. Farmers feannot come into the elly with their products unless they have passes from. the Japanese local. authorities. These Jare issued only to those making rheic homes within the city walls. "Farm-Jers dare not possess such passes when outside of the ely in guerilla controlled territory, which is all of the eoantryside beyond five Li of the city So people living within the city Jean get passes for a round trip to the country to buy food; and that only to the east of the eily near the railway line, 'The Japanese local authori ties are very anxious for the people return to the city and their' businesses; but because of their fear of the guerillas, and their rigid inspec tions at the gates they are defeating their own purposes; and are finding the control of the city a matter of all going out and nothing coming froma financial point of view.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.