Hankow, Mar. 23.
IHE Chinese forces on the northern, sector of the Tientsin-
Pukow Railway have launched a counter-offensive against the Japanese troops, who are advancing south-east along the Lingchen-Tsaochwan Railway, towards Taierchwang, north-east of Hsuchow fu, according to Chinese reports.
A Chinese military communique to-day stated that severe fighting was still going on and the "Chinese are making certain advances."
Four companies of Japanese troops, accompanied by more than ten armoured cars, were reported to be active south-east of Hanchwang and also along the north bank of the Grand Canal.
Japanese artillery in the vicinity of Likuoyih shelled Chinese positions, and gunfire was reported to be audible in Hsuchowfu.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.