Hsuchow, Jan. 16.
Advancing northwards' along Tientsin-Pukow Railway from Tsowhsien, the birthplace of Mencius in southern Shantung, and from. Tsining, strategic city in southern Shantung, the Chinese central column and Jett wing "forces are converging on Yenchow, midway between Tsinan, the Shantung provincial capital, and Heuchow, the junction of the Tien tsin-Pukow and Lunghai Railways. Fieree fighting occurred yesterday: when a concerted attnek was launched fon, the Japanese by the combined Chinese "forces.
Owing to their reverse at Tsining, which wad recaptured by Chinese troops under Lieut-General Tsao Fu-in, Commander of the 26th Division, on Thursday. the Japanese have had to modify their. plans tq advance southwards along the Tientsin-Pukow Railway. "A flanking attack by the Japanese on the Chinese positions at Liangsiatien station, south of Tsowsion, in an attempt to harass. the rear of the Chinese attacking Yen chow, was however repulsed by the latter after several hours' Aghting yesterday.—Kuo Min.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.