Evening star., 1938-04-18
Opposing Armies Locked in
Lini Battle, 80 Miles
From SuChoW.
NIPPONESE GARRISONS
REPORTED ENCIRCLED
Biggest Conflict of War Expected
to Result From Campaign
Just Beginning.
BACKGROUND

JotlOUed up DtctOTy Dith smash
ing neW attacks on Darious parts
OF front, claiming also that enc
mys communication lines from
Tsingtao and Tsiran, attenuated
by ertent OF driue toWdrd SuchoW,
had been Seuered.
BY the Associated Press
SHANGHAI, April 18.-Japanese
launched strong attack in the Lini
sector today precipitating major
battle in which they apparently were
determined to avenge the series of
singing defeats they have suffered re-
Gently at the hands Of the Chinese in
Central China.
Fierce fighting was reported in the
Southeast Shantung Province war
zone, where both japanese and Chi
nese have been massing reinforcements
and munitions for decisive engage
ment.
With the japanese sworn to avenge
the disastrous setbacks around Tai
erhchwang, they were stalking their
military prestige on the outcome of
the battle.
Chinese Seek Rec0nQuest.
Equally resolute, the Chinese were
fighting to break up the Japanese cam
paign against Central China and re-
conquer all their lost territory.
Striking southwark along the vi
River, the japanese sought to reach
the strategic city of Suchow, junction
of the Lunghai and Tientsin- Pukow
Railways 80 miles southwest of Lini
While opposing armies locked in cru
cial battle near Lini, severe conflict
continued around Yihsien and Tsaoch-
wang, 70 miles to the west, where Jap
anese have been driven back to pre-
carjous defensive positions.
Chinese assaults on japanese lines
at Yihsien and Tsaochwang were re-
ported going on with undiminished
fury. The Chinese we're said to be
trying to crash through this area to
meet the new Japanese threat east
ward near Lini.
Japanese Encircled.
Japanese garrisons at Yihsien and
TsaochWang we're encircled and COM
pletely cut off from bases to the north,
Chinese advices said Chinese guer-
rilla troops have disrupted lines Of
communication by persistent raids far
behind the battle front.
Dispatches from Chinese sources as
serted thousands of Japanese soldiers
had been slain in the recent Shantung
fighting, but there were no authentic
figures.
Thousands of fresh Chinese troops
have marched into the Lini sector in
the past few days. powerfully REIN
forcing Southeast Shantung defense
lines in expectation Of japanese
offensive there
1t was estimated more than 1,000.-
900 men were involved il operations
of the opposing armies in the South
Shantung zone.
Foreign military observers. keenly
watching the supreme test of Japan's
military power, predicted the major
battle starting in the Lini area and
raging eastward in the Tientsin-
Pukow Railway sector likely would
develop into the biggest conflict Of
the Chinese-Japanese war.
Five Raids in Wuhan Area.
From HankoW came reports tnat
japanese made five air raids in the
Wuhan area.
The Japanese warplanes bombed an
air field north of Hankow. Then,
after successfully feinting attacks
which drew Chinese pursuit ships in
the opposite direction, they reappeared
and rained explosives on the Wuchang
Airdrome south of Hankow. The
number of casualties was not dis
closed.
On the fifth Japanese raid. anti
aircraft batteries-which had hitherto
remained silent and allowed Chinese
pursuit planes to shoulder the defense
burden-unlimbered and succeeded in
driving of the flyers before further
damage was done.
Ten Junks Sunk.
In Shanghai japanese naval
spokesman said more than 10 Chinese
junks had been bombarded and sunk
in South China waters because they
maintained a provocative attitude
toward japanese warships"
The spokesman asserted Chinese
Hc k1c l.,
Portuguese waters, presumably near
the Portuguese colony Of Macao, while
engaged in transporting military sup
plies to Canton by the Pearl River. He
declared the 10 junks were sunk after
they had attacked a japanese naval
vessel. One speedboat escaped Into
Portuguese waters" he asserted.
japanese authorities said 1000 For
mosan farmers were en- route here as
immigrants to engage in farming in
the outskirts of Shanghai, which al
ready is one Of the most thickly popu-
lated areas in the world.
Canton Raid Kills $50.
HONG KONG, April l8 R.-Au-
thorities estimated $50 civilians were
killed and more than 800 injured yes
terday in Japanese aid raid on Can
ton and railways near the South
China metropolis.
Railway service was interrupted, but
the Chinese declared the important
Sheklung Bridge, linking Canton and
Hong Kong by rail, was not direct
ly hit.
A previous report said the span was
wrecked. In Canton bombs fell in
several Of the poorer districts.