Chungking, Dec. 29.
Severe Aghting is at present gol fon in south-west Shansi provines, according to Chinese dispatches from Sian received here today.
Japanese artillery units on the east bank of the Yellow River, the reports continue, are heavily shelling Chie hose positions on the west bank of the river in Shensi province, opposite Yumentu and just above the. confluence of the Yellow and Fen rivers.
Chinese artillery on the west bank, the reports add, are replying in a spirited manner, Chinese military authorities here, however, are of the opinion that #0 long as large bodies of Chinese troops remain in Shansi province, it will be very dimteult for the Japanese (0 tempt to invade Shensi~Reute.
"Annihilating" losses, the reports suld, were inflicted upon 4,000 Chinese {troops caught in the fire of a three-Jcornered Japanese campaign Jarea extending from Lungtowshan, south of Hotsin near the confluence Jof the Fen and Yellow. Rivers. in south-western Shansi, and Yumenko Yellow River ferry point northwest Jot Hotsin, in 9 two-day drive that was launched last Sunday. The Chi-Inese wore scattered, abandoning 1,300) Jdead, while 60 were taken prisoner.
Comprising this Chinese force were 1,500 men from the 27th Route Army from Shensi; 1,000 men. from_ the [Second Shansi Division; 1,000 men. from the newly-organized Eighth [Central Division and other irregulars.
Fighting was particularly bitter near Yumenkow which was occupied the Japanese early this week, ae-cording to the reports.
Large quantities of machine-guns, Jautomatic rifles, ries, hand-grenades ud ammunition were taken by the Japanese, "the dispatches added.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.