The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1914-12-23
DESPERATE FIGHT
WITH BAYONET
Hand TO- Hand Battle RACES in
the Argonnes.
RIVAL AIRMEN IN ACTION
German Aviators Bombard Dunkirk
and British Birdmen Destroy Zep-
nelin sheds-Warships Bombard
Enemy on Belgian Coast.

peIln SnSOS-NSd'
Enemy on Belgian Coast.
London. Dec. 23-Desperate ngnt-
ing with the bayonet in the Argonhe
region, the east center OF the Aisne
battle line, is the feature OF the ON
cial news given out by the french
war office.
The statement admits that the
hand-to-hand conflict there resulted III
10 perceptible progress, although lne
allies report gains in other parts Oh
the front.
The fighting in Flanders appears TO-
have been confined mostly to artii-
lery exchanges.
British warships have been keep
ing up a bombardment OF the German
positions along the Belgian coast lor
thirty-six hours, says dispatch ironi
Rotterdam. At the outset Of the oom-
hardment German batteries replied
briskly, but their fire has slackeneo.
Slnis reports, and it is believed tnat
most of them have been sllenced.
Ayiators of the allies are resumlng
:heir activities, and it is reported that
they have bombarded and burned Tue
Zeppelin sheds erected by the Ger
mans at Etterbeek, suburb OF Brus-
sells.
They flew from Dunkirk and drop
ped twelve bombs upon the sheds, es-
Gaping without damage. On their re-
turn Journey the aerial raiders also
dropped bombs upon Thielt, but with
what success is not known.
German airmen have made announcer
raid over Dunkirk, dropping twelve
bombs. A number of persons are re-
ported to have been killed.
A German aviator dropped two
bombs upon Amiens. They were ap-
parently aimed at the railroad station,
but neither caused any serious dam
age.
The first accounts published in Ger
many of the British bombardment OF
Zeebrugge reached London. Ihey
ouote a German officer as saying:
.aThe arrival of 200 shells was like
hell let loose. For hours the beach
groaned and frembled as the war
ships kept up their attack. There
we're veritable fountains of fire"
The German emperor, accompanied
by the imperial chancellor, Dr.. Won
Bethmann-Hollweg, the ministers OF
war and marine and numerous suite,
has gone to the western front, accord
ing to advices to the Daily Mail from
Copenhagen.
French official dispatches from the
front continue to show progress all
along the line for the allies. 1t Is re-
ported that Ostend is being lombard
ed by the Anglo-French artillery, but
there Is no confirmation of the rumor
that the allies have entered the city.
OstSnd was strongly fort1ned by the
Germans and they massed a great
quantity of artillery{o defend the
city.
British troops have been flung for
ward to the firing line between Al
bert and the Disc to reinforse the
French. This is also made known In
French official dispatches. From Pe>
rome to Nesle, the British had to
stand the brunt of six German at
tacks, but the invaders were unable
to win back the trenches they had
lost.
The fighting has been especially Sc
we're in the region fifty miles south OF
Armentieres. ALI along the line from
Noyon to Bapaume the attacks and
counter attacks are getting more vio-
lent as result of the increased pres
sure of the allies offensive.
Favorable reports have also been
received from the Aisne, the Cham
payne district, the Argonne forest, the
heights of the Meuse and Alsace.
The following are the official bulle-
tins:
GERMAN.
"At Newport and In the region
around Ypres the situation was gen.
orally quiet.
In order to recapture the positions
lost by them on Dec. 20 at st. HUI
bert and Givenchy, the English
forces, reinforced by French terri
-