NO TRUCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 126, 10 March 1936, Page 6

NO TRUCE

HOSTILITIES CONTINUE EARLY REPORT CONTRADICTED. THE NEWS SUDDENLY BANNED. MUSSOLINI’S CHANGE OF MIND ROME OFFICIAL’S STATEMENT. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, March 9. The European situation is‘ further confused by a cloud of confirmations and denials suddenly surrounding reports that Signor Mussolini ordered suspension of hostilities in Abyssinia. Editions of Italian newspapers actually printed, carrying full accounts of a truce, were suddenly banned by the Government and only a few copies reached the streets. The official spokesman later said: “There is no truce and no cessation of hostilities The reports are absolute nonsense. Some ’planes may have been ordered back to the base. If so, it was purely a military measure, not signifying a pause in the advance. We are going ahead just as before.” When asked how the categorical telegrams from correspondents at Asmara passed the rigid censorship if the news of the truce were not true, the spokesman declined to comment. Thus it appears that Signor Mussolini suddenly reconsidered his earlier decision to suspend hostilities. THE FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT.

MESSAGE FROM ASMARA. BOMBING PLANES RECALLED. ASMARA, March 9. Italian bombing aeroplanes which ■were scouring the interior of Abyssinia were recalled by radio while in midfight tct-day and ordered to return toi/hcir* bases The news was flashed by wireless that Signor Mussolini hau accepted the League’s proposals for negotiations to end the war. Orders were given to cease the bombardment and operations actually being executed. Marshal Badoglio has returned to Asmara. There were scenes of jubilation at Asmara when the news was known. Marshal Badoglio was cheered by an elated crowd. The news was taken to herald peace with conquest. “THE WAR IS STILL ON.” ITALIAN OFFICIAL’S STATEMENT (Received This J}ay, 9.5 a.m.) ROME, March 9. An official of the Ministry of Propaganda declared: “It is impossible to make a statement. As far as we are concerned, the war is still on.” When shown an advance copy of an Italian newspaper carrying, in flaming headlines, the news of the truce, the official declined to comment.

ABYSSINIA NOT WITHDRAWING. NO PRESENT ADEQUATE REASON. OFFENSIVE ACTION CONTINUES. \ (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) ADDIS ABABA, March 9. Abyssinia is not withdrawing her troops. She does not consider there is any adequate reason at present to cease offensive action. SURPRISE IN LONDON. EFFECT OF EUROPEAN CRISIS. (United Press Association —Copyright.) LONDON, March 8. The news from Asmara of the order to suspend the operations of Italian aircraft came as a surprise to wellinformed diplomatists. No intimation of such an intentian by the Italian ■Government had been given either from Italy or from the theatre of war. The decision is generally regarded as indicating that Italy regards the new situation in Europe as having an importance overshadowing the dispute with Abyssinia. 'PLANE® CRASH IN FLAMES. THREE ITALIANS COME DOWN. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) March 9. Three Italian ’planes crashed in flames near Lake Ashangi.