“WILL NEVER REACH CAPITAL.”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 18, 2 November 1935, Page 5

“WILL NEVER REACH CAPITAL.”

DIFFICULTIES OF THE TERRAIN. TANKS USELESS OWING TO HEAT. ARYSSINIANS NOT AFRAID. (United Press Association—Copyright (Received This Day, li.lo a.m.) : i . LONDON, November 1J The Addis Ababa correspondent of the British United Press says: A voice from the ranks is that of Clemente Sergo, the first Italian deserter from Ogaden. Sergo is a Croat, aged 25. who was born at Abbazia, Istria, which was an Austrian province during the war.

“We Croatians have never recognised Italian rule. I wanted to escape when I was conscripted, as many of my friends succeeded in doing, but was drafted to the front. I left a supply train in the Dolo sector, swam the Dawa and surrendered to the Abyssinians, who are no more afraid of the Italians than the Italians are afraid of them. The Italians in the Dolo area are 10,000 strong. Their morale is good, considering the terrific heat, which renders tanks almost useless. Those boys will never reach Addis Ababa. I bave flown over the terrain, and I know.”

ITALIANS CAPTURE MAKALE.

AN UNOFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT NEWS IN ADDIS ABABA. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) ADDIS ABABA, November 1. It is unofficially announced that the Italians have captured Mnkale.

OFFICIAL ITALIAN DEATH-ROLL.

ONLY 193 FOR WHOLE YEAR. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) v f . .... ROME, November 1. A communique states that Italian deaths in East Africa since January 1 total only 193, of which 160 occurred before September 1. Five have been killed in battle since September 30.