ABYSSINIAN PINCERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 96, 4 February 1936, Page 5

ABYSSINIAN PINCERS.

CAPTURE OF BLOCKHOUSES. KASSA’S CAREFUL LEADERSHIP. LONDON, February 2. The Addis Ababa, correspondent of “The Times” "Says that the Abyssinian control of Tembien is definitely complete, while Ras Seymum Was greatly tightened his grip on the AdowaMakale road. The IDessye correspondent or A lie Times” explains that the three blockhouses captured by the Abyssinians were those nearest the road. He attributes the victory to Ras Kassa s caiexul leadership in prolonging the battle and keeping his troops in hand until the last assault. He captured dozens of machine-guns at the swordpomt. Jhe position of the Italians in Makale is now most difficult. The Addis Ababa correspondent of the “Daily Mail” report skirmishes south of Aksum and the continuance of the struggle for the road, on which the Abyssinian front line almost rests in certain places, while several patrols crossed it. ■ . .. Other sources point out that while the main threat is from Ras Seymum from the south-west, Ras lvassa, based at \gula to the oast, forms the second log* of the pincers, Ras Mulugheta s army acting as a reserve. Foreign Red Cross units, including the British .'Station at Waldia, are working at high pressure attending the wounded.

ABYSSINIAN ARMY STARVING. 12,000 MEN DESERT IN TEN DAYS. LONDON, Feb. 3. The Stockholm correspondent of “The Times” says that in ajetter from Addis Ababa on January ±3, Dr. Eric Smith, a member of a Swedish Ambulance Corps, declares that Ras Desta’s army is dying of starvation. Three thousand soldiers are ill, and 12,000 have deserted in 10 days. Malaria and dysentery are rife.