Rome, July 9.
Although Italian officials ' have frequently denied reports giving an extraordinary character to the impending August manœuvres of the troops in the River Po region, the press continues to attach considerable significance to them.
The Po region Army includes three light and speedy corps which will leave the Veneto region westward for the Alps for their manceuvres, Four Japanese detachments captured the only fording place on the Khalka River in the present zone of hostilities at 11 o'clock this morning, thus preventing the retreat of about 2,000 Soviet and Outer Mongolian troops.
The ford was taken following a general attack on a. 15-kin. front launched by Japanese detachments at 5 a.m. against Soviet and Outer Mongolian troops holding one corner of Balshagar height.
The invading forces had been offering stubborn resistance under cover of artillery fire from hills on the opposite bank of the river. Part of the Outer Mongolian and Soviet troops were retreating northward along the east bank of the river, with Japanese forces in pursuit.
Japanese Army planes bombed Outer Mongolian and Soviet positions early this morning. A bridge over the River was destroyed by Japanese planes—Domei, The "Popolo d'Italia" says the theme will be testing the possibility of utilizing three large units each possessing different armaments and organizations, although all equipped with the most modern of mechanized units. A large number of tank squadrons will take part in the exercises and will be thoroughly tested under rigorous conditions—., Havas, Latest Exchange The closing Interbank selling rates yesterday were as follows:
Sterling 65d. USS 124e;
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.