Hankow, Apr. li.
Japanese troops are massing south and south-east in Shantung province for the forthcoming big drive on the Tientsin-Pukow Railway front, according to Chinese reports received here today, The Japanese forces from Tsingtao, which were sent too late to relieve the Isogai and Itagaki divisions entrapped inthe Taierchwang area, have now reached Chuhsien, northeast of Lingyi, the reports state, while fresh troops are landing at Tsingtao.
Their vanguards have reached Chuchou, west of Tsingtao, and ere stated to be pouring into south-east Shantung, along the highway, in order to jgjn the Japanese forces at Chuhsien for an offensive in the Lingyi sector, to exert pressure on the Chinese right wing and to attack the eastern flank at Hsuchowfu, the objective of the present Japanese drive.
At the same time, the main body of Japanese forces is being rushed io the south from Tientsin to attack the Chinese troops holding the railway north of Hanchwang.
Commenting on the Japanese deni: of the Chinese occupation of Taierchwang, the Chinese military spokesman today showed telegrams sent by foreign correspondents from Taierchwang as well as from north of the town.
It was stated that the 700 Japanese prisoners, who were captured during the battle in the Taierchwang sector, would arrive shortly in Hankow where the Chinese military authorities were arranging for foreign journalists to interview them.—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.