Hankow, Apr. 27.
With Chinese reinforcements arriving at designated positions on the south Shantung front, the Chinese forces have begun an attack all along the line, with the centre of operations fat present located at Szehucheng, a small village east of Taierchwang and north of Puhsien, where the Japanese are attempting to cut the Lunghai Railway east of Hsuchowfu. Chinese troops are reported to be attacking. the Japanese forces at Szehucheng, which means "Four Family Village," in the flank and rear. Severe fighting is also said to be going on. for possession of Lanchentien.
The Chinese military authorities express absolute confidence in the outcome of the battle it south Shantung. "Hsuchowfu," they declare, "is absolutely impregnable."
Besides being the objective of the present big Japanese drive, the city also the headquarters of General Li Tsung-jen, Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese forces on the Tientsi Pukow Railway front.
The Chinese military authorities here confirm a report that Chinese forees are attacking Taiyuanfu, the capital of Shansi province. No de-falls, they add, are obtainable yet} owing to the difficulty of communication with the Chinese mobile units attacking the city.
The Chinese military authorities point out that the Chinese forces in Shansi, adopting mobile warfare (aeries, have been continually harassing the Japanese troops in all parts Shansi during the past two months.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.