FIGHTING IN ALGIERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2053, 3 December 1907, Page 2

FIGHTING IN ALGIERS.

A VIGOROUS ATTACK REPULSED United Press Association—Copyright (Received Dec. 2, 10.52 p.m.)

MOROCCO, Dec. 2. Details of tlie fight at Menasseh show that 3500 of the Benis Hassen tribe at Agubal, Morocco, entered Algeria, and attacked an elevated fort at Sidiassa, in the vicinity of Babelassa, and contingents of different tribes, a portion of the Foreign Legion, a company of tiralleurs, a section of a battery of mountain artillery, and a squadron of spaliias. The attack was exceptionally vigorous and well sustained, but was repulsed with great gallantry. Whole lines of tribesmen attempting a flanking movement were mown down.

The guns were- posted on a height, and 136 shells were fired.

The Benis Hassen returned to Aglibal, but their provisions and ammunition are rather short.

A large Att-icis tribe on the Algerian side joined the Benis Hassen, but the arrival of French reinforcements reassured the border population.

(Received Dec. 2, 11.18 p.m.) General Hautey proposes to drive the Benis Hassen to the mountains, and then surround and starve them into submission. He is empowered to temporarily operate on. Moroccan territory' to safeguard the Algerian frontier,, but the occupation is restricted to Ujda. A large column is concentrating aitSidid Jennan, Algeria, to ultimately co-operate with the Ujda column of occupation, and a third column of mobile troops is to sweep along Kiss to the sea.