FRONTIER WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1919, Page 5

FRONTIER WAR.

A LONG-FOUGHT BATTLE,. BRITISH CASUALTIES SEVERE, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 23, 12.30 a.m. Bombay, Dei. 20. Yesterday and to-day the battle continued for the possession of the so-called Sandbag Hill and ridges, forming an important strategic feature, the possession of which is necessary to render the Derajat column's further progress in the enemy country safe. The enemy resisted most stubbornly. We captured Sandbag, with the first ridge, yesterday, after a fierce fight lasting several hours, but a determined enemy counter attack, in which our casualties were somewhat severe, forced our troops to Tetire. To-day the work of clearing the ridge has been resumed, and the previous.day's objectives were gained in two hours. Despite the tenacious resistance, we moved on against a further ridge, with a difficult and dangerous nullah on the near side. After high explosive and shrapnel preparation, with invaluable air force assistance, we gained the ridge by a general advance, and consolidated our position. We followed the enemy, who must have suffered severely, and his troops were compelled to flee in all directions.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

TROUBLE IK THE PUNJAB. London, Dec. 19. Striking details of the disaffection in the Punjab are being published. • The principal reasons for the political agitation are alleged to be the high prices of food and other necessaries, Mahomedan unrest, public floggings, and the long intervals between the arrest and trial of agitators, hundreds of whom had been put in gaol. Shootings occurred in many places, especially in Lahore, where the mob took the city, the Europeans being evacuated with difficulty. Eventually the 43rd Brigade, supported by four aeroplanes, two carrying bombs, Tetook the city. The temper of the _crowd was sullen. Mr. Savage, Commissioner, and the military commanders, reported that the shootings by Colonel Dyer at Amritsar had an instantaneous effect, disaffection rapidly declining. Officials admit that quashi public floggings have been numerous and admit that a priest and wedding party were flogged because! the gathering numbered more than the ten permissible under martial law. The Magistrate responsible for these floggings was dismissed. — United Service.