§ 12. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement on the military situation in China and the position of the respective Chinese armies?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINMy latest information is that on the Eastern section the Shantung troops, who are being attacked by Chiang Kai-shek's forces, have completely evacuated the Hwai River line. In the West, Chang Tso-lin's forces are being attacked by Tang Sheng-chin from the South, and by Feng Yü-hsiang from the West, and are retreating along the Peking-Hankow railway to Chengchow. West of Chengchow they have re-crossed to the left bank of the Yellow River. At the same time forces opposed to the Wuhan authorities have occupied Ichang, Shasi and Changsha; General Yang Sen is reported as being within a mile of Chengling.
§ Colonel DAYWhat is the date of the receipt of the information which the right hon. Gentleman has just given to the House?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThis information has been brought up to date as near as I could do so. I settled my reply last night and I had not time to correct it if there be any further information this morning.