It happened at the corner—East Seward nad Chaoufoong Road: where Japanese "tidying-up opera tions" have received special attention during the last few da: scrap-iron was being unloaded in large quantities, the coolies were chanting and the Japanese "renin" were looking on with satisfaction A car driven by a foreigner came to a sudden halt at the intersection. The driver got out and carefully inspected one of his front tyres. He stopped, and cautiously pulled a ten-penny nail from the rubber in which it was sticking at a dangerous angle. He hesitated for a moment, holding the rusty nail gingerly between the thumb and forefinger of his right hand. Then he acted. With a slight bow and a gracious gestture he handed the nail to the nearest "tidier-up." bowed agai and got back into his car and drove off. while Japanese batteries took up positions in the southern part of the town in order to cover the operations of the troops who will attempt to force a crossing of the Hwai River.
Chinese irregulars at Hsuchow have already been ordered to reinforce the Chinese units on the Hwai River. According to Chinese reports all Japanese efforts to effect a crossing have so far been frustrated. It is, however, expected that the Japanese will launch a violent attack at Hwaiyuan during the next few days in order to continue their advance northwards.
The alleged increased activities of Chinese troops in the Hangchow and Wuhu sectors appear to be restricted to minor skirmishes which are hardly likely to bring about a change in the general situation.—Trans-Ocean.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.