A SKIRMISH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 17, 1 November 1935, Page 5

A SKIRMISH

WILD TRIBESMEN REPORTED ANNIHILATED. ITALIAN SUPPLY COLUMN. .. A BIG PUSH INDICATED. PEACE TALKS CONTINUE. (United Press Association—Copyrights (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) ADDIS ABABA, October 31. There are indications for the commencement of a big Italian push toward Dessie. It is reported that wild tribesmen annihilated an Italian supply convoy in the heart of the Danakil desert. NEVER REACH THE CAPITAL. DESERT AGAINST ITALIANS. , TROOPS DYING FROM DISEASE. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) DURBAN, October 31. A Swedish general, Virgin, who is en route home after resigning his position as military adviser to the Abyssinian Government, expressed the opinion that the Italians will never reach Addis Ababa. Abyssinia will not attack until the Italians are a long way from their bases. Ogadfen includes areas of desert, covered with bush in which men could remain concealed at a range of fifty yards. Near Assam there is a great desert an which Itahans would be unable to live through lack of water. If the Italians say that hundreds of troops are not dying fiom sickness they are lying- They were dying before the war commenced.

ETHIOPIA NOT IMPOVERISHED. FUNDS IN FOREIGN BANKS. EMPEROR’S FORTUNE OFFERER. (Received This Bay, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, October 31. The “Sun-Herald” says that Ethiopia is not impoverished, according to correspondents, including Mr Stuart, in the “News-Chronicle,” who declared that at least £50,000,000 is available for arms and ammunition. The bulk or the money has been shipped, m silver and gold, to European and American banks. Haile Selassie’s entire foitune, estimated at £30,000,000, which he inherited from his father, is placed at the disposal of the Government.

COMPLETE AGREEMENT. \ BRITAIN AND FRANCE. PEACE TERMS AND ASSISTANCE. (Received This Day, 9.90 a.m.) v LONDON, October 31. The Geneva correspondent of the “Guardian” says that political circles in Paris affect to know for certain that M Laval and Sir Samuel Hoare are in complete agreement, not only concerning the terms suggested by Italy as a basis for discussion, but also in respect to mutual assistance in the event of a belligerent attacking. It is vn&erstood that the agreement embraces not merely naval but military assistance. OPENING OF S>H'OPS ON SUNDAY. GOVERNMENT CANCELS ORDER. ROME, Oct. 30. Following a P'apal protest, the Government has. cancelled the order allowing shops to remain open on bunRoyal decree has been published regulating reorganisation of the mercantile fleet in the event of war, enabling a portion of it to co-operate with the navy and authorising the Ministry of Marine to order the arming of such merchant vessels as it thinks mothers and widows of victims of the Great Wav are organising committees to make house-to-house visits to counteract the effect of sanctions;

BRITISH TRADE WITH ITALY. LARGE SUMS AWAIT TRANSFER. LONDON, Oct. 30. The Board of Trade points out that the Government is not responsible for securing payment for British goods shipped to Italy. The sum of £2,013,870 awaits transfer from Italy to Britain, while £1,000,774, representing credits, are due to Italian exporters.