With the Japanese lines being gradually extended toward Kaifeng u decisive battle is looming in the area between Kaifeng and Chengchow, military observers in Peiping stated, About fourteen divisions of Chinese, troops are falling back on strong positions along aline 120 kilometres long, they decláred. The Chinese were said to be preparing for stiff resistance on orders from Gen. Chiang Kai-shek in an effort to make up for their defeats in the Hsuchow sector.
Another dispatch from Shihchiavang reported that the Chinese forces massed between Kaifengand Chengchow number about 200,000.
Gen. Hu Tsung-nan, Commandez of the First Army of Central troops under the direct control of Gen.
Kai-shek. was reported to been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the troop§ defending the Chengchow area.
A, message from Tokyo stated that the" Japanese encircling movement around Kaifeng is "progressing steadily Japanese forces are driving on Kaifeng from the wes: and south. the message said One detachment which took Lan feng was said to be pushing wes! ward along the Lunghai while othe: units which occupied Kweiteh and Luyi also were reposted to be advancing toward Kaifeng.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.