In Chinoye circles here confidence prevails and it is declared that the Chinese troops, among whom, are those of the Shantung army forsierly commanded by Governor Han Fu-chu, are Armly determined to hold the' present front. Fears held many quarters about the loyally of the Shantung "troops, above all about that of the oticers, are not shared ere. It is stressed that not only the Jatest recruits among. the young officers but also the older biticers who served for a long time under Han Fuschu, have declared themselves willing' tw fight for the Central Government.
It is pointed out that General Chiang Kal-shek's energetic attitude "towards the Shantung " Goveruimer the best proof that his position hag been strengthened. The whole army stings Ormly behind Generst Chiang Kai-shek and is determined to keep on fighting as long as one man remains alive—Trans-Ocean Klacchow Occupiéa Tsinan, Jan.
Japanese infantry driving into 'Shantung province occupied Kino~ chow, about 40 kilometres southeast of Kaomi, at 5 o'clock' in the afternoon of January 15, according to a belated announcement reaching here to-day from commanders of the Nagano detachment.
The Nagano unit is advancing along the Kiao-ts! Roilway—Domel.
Japanese Converging on Hsuchowfu Hankow, Jan. 18.
The situation on the Tientsin-Pukow Railway front is reported to be tense following a simultaneous JJapanese attack {fom both the north and south along the railway.
The main objective of the two Japanese armies is Hsuchowfu, strategic city at the junction of the Tientsin-Pukow and Lunghai railways.
The northern army is pushing down southward in three columns.
'The centre, driving down the railway, is engaging the Chinese troops between Chowshien, birthplace of Mencius, and Lianghsiation; the left column,' pushing down the Taiwei motor-road, is attacking Taierchuan, with Tunghai as the objective; walla the right column is advancing from tsining in the direction of Shanchix and Liuho, on the Lunghai Railway.
Meanwhile, the southern Japanese Jarmy, pushing northward along the oilway from Chuchow, captured /Mingkwang railway station on Jan-ary 14 and is at present engaging Chinese troops in the vicinity. of Linghwatkwang and Pangehiao, south of Pengpu.
All areas south of the Yellow River and north of the Yangtze are seid to be experiencing a heavy snowfall, Chekiang Evacuation preparation for "the present offensive, the Japanese forces in western Chekiang and eastern Antu, according to information received by the Chinese military headquarters here, have during the past two days voluntarily evacuated at least ten. Jeities which they had previously occupied, including Hsuanchen, Kwang eh, Szean, Lishui and Changhsin. [The withdrawn troops, in the opinion Chinese military citoles here, have all been transferred to the Tientsin-Pukow Railway front.
After clearing up the Chinese troops along the Tientsin-Pukow Railway, Chinese sources declare, the Japanese will attempt to drive west ward along the Lunghai Railway. this operation the main army, it is believed, will be supported by two. other columns; one moving northward from Hotel and the other pushing southward along the Peipin-Hankow Railway towards Chengchow.
All the evacuated cities in Cheiciang and Anhwei have, in the meantime, been reoccupied by Chinese troops.
The Japanese troops who captured /Tsining are now engaging the Chinese in the vicinity.of Kinghsiang and Chuyal, to the west of Tsining.
On the Wuhu front, where the Chinese "forces launched a vigorous offensive yesterday, severe Aghting is said to be taking place in the vicinity jot Mapuchiao and Paimashan, west of Wuhu—Router,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.