THE ALLIES’ CAMPAIGN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4007, 13 August 1915, Page 5

THE ALLIES’ CAMPAIGN.

BRITISH ADVANCE AT HOOCE.

GRIM STRUGGLE IN THE DARK.

STRANGE SCENE AS DAWN COMES IN. FIERCE FIGHTING LIKELY AT THIS POINT.

(Received August 12, 9.50 p.m.) LONDON, August 12. Mr Philip Gibbs, the “Chronicle’s 1 war correspondent, says the German have not yet made serious counter attacks at. Hooge. Our artillery destroyed ten machine guns during the preliminary bombard ment. In spite of the destructive ef • feet of our shell-fire, the Germans wh< survived the ordeal fought doggedly There was some hand-to-hand fignt Png, literally, for some of our soldier; used their fists to give a knockout When daylight came many Gerniai dead lay among the wreckage of tin trenches and dugouts. The Gorman batteries made a pro digal expenditure of shell, but w< managed to straighten our lino am consolidate without serious loss Hooge is likely to become prominent in despatches, for it is a point where there is continual nagging on botl sides. Hooge is not what soldiers cal a “health resort.” Router’s account says that after oui initial charge, there was some' hoi bayonet work in the trenches. The scene when daylight eanio was weird, Dim forms could be seen swaying about, stabbing, shouting and swearing—fleeing Germans and pursuing Tommies. With an incessant din, om bursting shells pitched into the enemy’s reserve trenches, preventing his bringing up reinforcements. The cries of the wounded and moans of the dying wore terrible. As the sun rose Hie fighting died down. A .French communique states: A German attempt to attack Souchez with petards was repulsed. Our positions in the Argonne have been violently bombarded. IN THE. ARGONNE. GERMAN ATTACKS HEPULSED. SPLENDID FRENCH REPORT. (Received Aug. 12. 3.40 p.m.) PARIS, Aug. 12. Official: - The bombardment in the Argonne redoubled in intensity, with a largo use of asphyxiating shells. A violent German attack followed at dawn, and at least three German regiments advanced on. our position on the Binarville road, Vienne le Chateau, and the Souyctte ravine. The Germans in the centre of this sector penetrated our position, but were drive.a out in a counter-attack, retaining part of the first line trenches. We took prisoner a number of AVurtembergers. Further east, towards Fontaine aux Charmes, the enemy launched attacks which were completely repulsed. THE COTTON PROBLEM. GOVERNMENT URGED TO DECLARE STRICT CONTRABAND. IMPORTANT BRITISH MEETING. (Received August 12, 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 12. Sir Charles Macara (chairman of the International Federation) presided at a meeting at Greens Hall to urge declaring cotton contraband. Sir Charles said he had no doubt that cotton was largely used in the manufacture of explosives and he was sure the Government would give anxious consideration to the complications of the problem. We must utilise our command of the sea to prevent cotton reaching enemy countries and it was absolutely necessary to take strong measures, while acting fairly by neutrals. Ho had long advocated that, in order to ensure the adequate supply in lean years it might he arranged for me Anglo-American purchase of the cotton ordinarily goings to Germany. Sir William Ramsay, the eminent scientist, said cotton was the only substance the Germans couldn’t supply for munitions. No chemical products could replace raw cotton. Ammuntion made from used cotton was more ineffective and that form would lie used if wo stopped cotton. We had stopped war cotton reaching Germany from various sources, but Sweden had imported twenty-fold the amount she required for her own needs and almost every neutral had imported out of all proportion to her needs. We were contributing indirectly to tne defeat of the Russians and it was grossly unfair to our Allies and ourselves. Lord Charles Boresford wrote deploring the fatal “wait-and-see” policy. What was the good of coalition if the Government procastinated like its predecessor, ho asked. What good was the mastery of the sea if we afiled to reap our advantages ? The meeting passed a resolution urging the Government, in the interests of the Empire and our Allies, to immediately declare cotton contraband, at the same timo ensuring the protection of the interests of neutral growers and consumers.

THE METAL PROBLEM. GERMAN SMELTING WORKS PURCHASED. LONDON, Aug. 11. A city group, headed by Richard Tilde:; and Smith, has purchased the German combine’s Swansea Vale zinc smelting works. The intention is to increase the output of spelter from five thousand to twenty-five thousand tons nor annum. The supplies will be drawn, from the Burma Zinc Mines’ plant, which is a facsimile of that of the Germans. City people consider this acquisition an advantage over the Zinc Corporation and Broken HiU companies.

THROUGH ENEMY EYES.

OFFICIAL GERMAN REPORT

BERLIN, Aug. 11

A communique states: General Von Hindenberg easily repulsed stiong Russian advances along Riga-Mitau road. There is no change northward of the Niemen. A strong .Russian attack from Kovno failed. We have captured here 2110 prisoners since the Bt!i. We are advancing east of Lomza, 111 tho direction of the BelliNarcw line. The enemy still holds the bridgehead at Wyzna. The entire Russian lino is retreating. Our pursuing troops crossed the Gaerwong and Brok rivers, and advancing eastward captured tho railway junction south-east of Os trow. The Russians have evacuated the Bcnjaminow fortress eastward of Novo Georgievsk. Our airships bombed Novo Goorgeivsk. and Brestlitovsk. Prince Leopold's left wing, pursuing, reached Kaluezyn. General Von Woyrs.h, upon the right wing, stormed rearguard positions on both sides of the Oienka and westward of Lukov, capturing a thousand, men. AUSTRIAN REPORT. (Received Aug. 12, 9.40 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, Aug. 12. All Austrian official message says:We repulsed strong Italian attacks, on the Doberdo plateau with heavy enemy losses from flanking artillery fire.