Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-21
FIGHT WITH THE TRIBEsMEN,
British Forces Storm the Heights Throucl
Very Hot Rifle Fire.

british Forces Storm the Heights Through
Very Hot Rifle Fire.
Simla, Oct. 21-According to advices
from Fort Lockhardt, the tribesmen
having occupied Dargai Ridge, which
commanded Chagrux. on the SANTANA
range. General Sir Yeatman-Biggs sent
the second division yesterday morning
to dislodge them. The position was a
very strong one, on the summit of q
precipitous hill. reached only by a single
path along which the attacking force,
consisting Of the Gurkha regulars and
the Dorsetshire regiment was Obliged
to climb In Indian file, three batteries
meanwhile Smelling the Sangars. The
British suffered a temporary check when
they reached the open space and were
exposed to an accurate fire. After q
prolonged artillery fire the Gurkhas
were reinforced by the Gordon High
landers. Then followed a magnificent
rush across the open space in the face
OF q murderous fusillade. The ererav
stood their ground till the Britis Il
reached the rocks below. down which
the tribesmen could not see to fire, and
then they fled pell-mell. The losses of
the Gurkhas and the Gordon High
lanQerS were severe.
The tribesmen reserved their fire TIL
the Gurkhas reached the zigzag Path
under perpendicular cliff. Three Brit
ish companies crossed the fire aYne off
here at rush. sustaining heavy losses.
while the remainder deploycd to TIE
left to intercept a flank attack by
some 1000 of the enemy from that di-
rection. At 1880 p. m. matters looked
hA ~ f-A
failed to dislodge the enemy. General
kempster thereupou went forward IN
person. moving UP theGordon Highland
ers and the Third Sikh regimen. into
the fighting line. A systematic assault.
was then organized and 1000 men with
fixed bayonets stood waiting for the Or
der to advance.
Three minutes before the word Of
command was given General Kempster
telegraphed back instructions to the
artillery to concentrate their fire. The
eighteen pieces OF artillery responded.
and under cover Of this fire the leading
company Of Highlanders amid perfect
silence. rushed into the fire zone. Half
the men dropped. but the remainder
pushed calamity on till they reached the
cover where the Gurkhas lay. The rest
Of the force streamed after them and
the tribesmen seeing that most OF the
troops had passed the fire zone fed up
the hill and collected under cover Of
the cliffs. The Highlanders and mixed
regiments, after pausing a moment to
take breath, again advanced to the
assault, and twenty minutes later the
position was won. The ridge was
stormed at o'clock.
Empire Strengthening Her Defenses.
London, Oct. Ain connection with
the increase in the strength Of the Brit
1sh army the defense Of the colonies Of
Great Britain is receiving unusual atten-
ton. The government has Just dis
patched a former secretary of state for
war to Australia with instructions 10 re-
port to the war Office upon the condition
OF the defenses Of the Australian colo-
MES. TO urge an increase Of the colonial
forces and TO submit proposals for arm
Ing the local troops and exchanging bat
talions from Australia with those of the
motherland. The mission Of W. S. Field
Ing, the Canadian minister Of finance. TO
Great Britain also includes discussing
with the colonial office what proportion
OF 91.5oo, 900 which II is proposed to ex-
pend in strengthening the Canadian de-
lenses should be borne by the imperial
government.