Hankow, Apr. 25.
A threat to the right flank of the Chinese forces defending Taierchwang and the start of a push northward by Japanese forces south of Hsuchowfu Scene of the Battle are the latest developments on the Tientsin-Pukow Railway front, where the Chinese are fighting desperately to improve their position. The menace to the Chinese right wing at Taierchwang followed the success of the Japanese in breaking through the Chinese positions south-east of Yihsien, in the vicinity of Hsiaowang. Tha Chinese line in this sector now runs diagonally from Lanchentien, through Changst and Tingehiachiao, to Taierchwang, One column of Japanese troops at Huangehwang and Howan, north of Hanchiao, attacked the Chinese pos! tons at Hanchiao today, but were repulsed, states a Chinese military communique. Severe Aghting is also} in progress in the vicinity of Tenghsien, on the Tientsin-Pukow Rallway north of Lincheng, where Chinese units are said to be. actively engaging Japanese troops.
The Japanese troops pushing northward are said to, be divided into two columns, one moving along the north Kiangsu coast and another along the southern section of the Tientsin-Pukow Railway.
They include:
The forces which landed at tung, on the north bank of the Yangtze, last month, pushed north. ward along the sea coast and reached Tungtal. They are said to be now moving towards Yenchen.
'2—The forces which pushed northward along the Grand Canal and reached Shaopsh. They are at pres. ent advuneing in the direction of Kaoyu.
'3—About 20,000 troops at Pengpu who recently crossed the Hwai River. They are now busting up the Ti tsin-Pukow Railway in the direction of Nansuchow, south of Hsuchowfu.
'4.—About 700 troops at Hwaiyuan, west of Pengpu—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.