Hankow, May 10.
Chinese claims that their forces were encircling Nanchang, capital of Kiangsi province taken by the Japanese on March 27, were derided by Japanese military authorities here to-Jday. They pointed to the oficial denial Jmade by Chungking on April 20 of the Teeapture of the city after Chinese new agencies for several days had re Ported that "mopping-up operation gainst Japanese remnants" were go: ing on in Nanchang, The failure of the Chinese to make serious effort to retake Nanchang was attributed here to internal dissension among the Chinese.
The activities of the "anti-defection lunts" comprising the Seventh Division and the Mth Army under Gen. Li Shih-chou and three other divisions, tunder Gen, Chao Hsi-shan, were said te have caused strong resentment verging on rebellion, among the Chinese troops in the central Kiangsi sector.
Quoting the alleged disclosures of Chinese major-general taken prisoner, the Japanese authorities. here said that Gen. Chiang Kai-shek had offered ash rewards for the troops that first Meantime, Domei from Nanchang reported that Chinese troops inthe Ninth War Zone, following the failure of their offensive over period of almost 20 days, wore in full retreat.
Chinese tosses during this abortive al lack were listed 58 officers and 2,230 men killed, whose bodies were s0 far found abandoned. Booty taken by the Japanese included 334 rifles, 22 Machine guns, two trench mortars, 31,145 rounds of rifle ammunition, 145 hand grenades, 1,033 trench. mortar bombs, and 12 wireless sets.
Eighteen Chinese divisions, under the general direction of Gen. Lo Choying, were engaged on a 720-kilometre front in an attempt to move upon Nanchang, it was estimated. The first Chinese counter-attacks were launched fon April 20, as part of the much publicized "April Offensive,"—Domel.
Fighting in Malnan, Hoihow, Hainan Island, May 10, Moving upon Anlu, base of Chinese! troop remnants in the hills of central Hainan, a Japanese naval landing Party ea Monday afternoon had Teached 2 point 12 kilometres northeast of Lingmen, aerial observation reports reaching here today said.
By Sunday night, Lomgtang, west Tuschang. was taken. A part of the anding. "party continued "its Savance upon Tunchaner while. ther moved pen Aniu=Domet
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