ACTIVE SERVICE IN NAVY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 65, 28 December 1935, Page 5

ACTIVE SERVICE IN NAVY.

CALL TO 13,000 SPECIALISTS. MILITARY PLANS ACCELERATED. ANTICIPATION OF SANCTIONS. (United Press Association—Copyright.) HOME, December 26. Now' that Christmas is oyer, Italy is preparing for important military and political events, which are believed to be imminent. The last few days are considered to be merely the lull before the storm. There is no doubt here that Mr Eden will lose no time in changing British policy to one of close co-opera-tion with the League. It is believed here that this will mean the strictest enforcement of sanctions. It was reliably reported to-day that in the face of possible developments in the Mediterranean, the Italian navy is preparing for action. Thirteen thousand naval specialists have been called up for active service. Most of them, it is said, formerly worked in gun turrets or powder rooms on Italian ships. Because of the delicate diplomatic situation in Europe, it is reported that Signor Mussolini’s strategy will be to take the initiative in the military field by pushing operations in East Africa in the hope that he may obtain a solution of the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia by force of arms before the European situation becomes more complicated. It is thought that Marshal Badoglio is advancing on a centre line from Addi Abbi to Gheva, which is a,stronger defensive position than the one he is now occupying. Then he is expected to order an advance southward from Makale toward Ambalagi and Lake Ashangi.