The Japanese forees appear to aim at pushing on due south from Lingyi, through Tancheng, in order to cut the Lunghat Railway at Sinanchen, near the border of Kiangsu and Shantung provinces.
If this move 19 successful, not only hal Rail way has finally been cut in one place by the Japanese, but it will also pri sent a serious threat to the Chinese right flank should the turw west and advance along railway towards Hsuchow, The Chi Taierchwang would thereby pelled to fall back towards the Grand Canal, 'These forces may indeed be forced to fall back anyway, for the Japanese fare now furiously' attacking Taler~ chwang from the direction of Yihsien In three columns. The Chinese are putting up a stubborn defence their positions about seven miles north of Taierchwang and have shown no signs of cracking yet.
Another threat to the Lunghai raile way" comes from a Japanese force which Is now pushing on relentle towards Pihsien, in Kiangsu_province, on the east bank of the Grand Canal, only six miles from the rally way. The Chinese, -ho\ still hold Pihsien, it is stated—Reuter. damage is being investigated. spokesman said, were taken on Sunday as the Japanese forces prepared to invest the town.
"The defence lines around Pihslen were hastily thrown up late last week by the Chinese retreating towards the east-to-west Lunghai line, as the Japanese columns advancing from southern Shantung occupied Szehusheh, first important town south Jof the border on Thursday evening.
In deploying along an east-of-west front north of Pihsien, the Chinese were said by the Japanese spokesman to be attempting to reduce their losses from aerial and tand bombardment and to make a final attempt to stem the Japanese advance, Tu retreating south from Shantung column formation, the—Chinese suffered heavily from shrapnel bar-ages and aeroplane strafing attacks.
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