ADOWA WILL FALL TO INVADERS SHORTLY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 236, 5 October 1935, Page 9

ADOWA WILL FALL TO INVADERS SHORTLY.

CAMOT HOLD OUT. Official Italian Story of The Attack. STRONG RESISTANCE. British Official Wireless. (Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, October 4. An official communique issued in Rome this morning by the Italian Ministry of Defence says: “An Italian division of the regular army, Black Shirts and native troops crossed the River Mareb yesterday between Barrachit and Mevhee. “The rearguard of the Abyssinian Army which had not withdrawn, as stated in Geneva, was met and defeated by the Italian forces.

“During the day Italian forces advanced into Abyssinian territory to an average depth of 12 miles.

“The Air Force flew three times over the Mareb River. Two bombing squadrons, notwithstanding heavy fire from anti-aircraft guns and from large groups of armed men around Adowa achieved their objectives.

“During the night, the troops rested on their positions, and this morning after sunrise the advance was resumed on all fronts.”

According to Press reports received in London, the Italian advance from Eritrea towards Adowa was continued to-day. Air reconnaissance has been practically continuous, and the Abyssinian forces are said to have suffered heavily from aerial bombardment. The Italians encountered strong resistance at Maibaria, but claim to have occupied positions on hills dominating Adowa from a distance of about 16 miles, and owing to heavy artillery and aerial bombardment it is thought unlikely that the Abyssinians can continue to hold Adowa for long. It is believed in Addis Ababa that Ras Seyuin, when he has to evacuate, will be' able to retire his forces successfully. Reports speak of heavy losses on both sides, but particularly among the Abyssinian troops as a result of the heavily-armoured mechanised attack. CORDIAL MESSAGE. Mussolini’s Envoy Calls on Sir S. Hoare. DESIRE TO KEEP PEACE. (Received 2.30 pan.) LONDON, October 5. Signor Grand!, Italian Ambassador in London, sought an interview with Sir Samuel Hoare and made a statement which it is believed ■ will considerably affect the League discussions. According to “The Times" he presented a cordial message from Signor Mussolini identical to the communication to M. Laval, in which he affirmed that Italian action in Abyssinia had not altered his determina lion, if possible with full Franco-British agreement, to avoid extension of the conflict. Mussolini believed that hostilities would be shortened if the tension in the Mediterranean were replaced by cooperation towards a settlement. Al! concerned might contribute by a simultaneous and parallel cancellation of precautionary measures undertaken to meet non-existent danger. 11 Duce, while conscious of the responsibility of Italian interests, is equally desirous of maintaining European peace. MODERN EVIL. DANGER OF DICTATORSHIP. (Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 4. Speaking at the Conservative Confer- , nee Mr. Baldwin stated that dictatoiships tend to divert attention from domestic difficulties by external adventure. “Consequently. I am not satisfied with the position, especially in view ot the weight our words ought to carry.”

He reiterated that Britain cannot be inferior in the air to any country within striking distance. Food services must also be .secured.

He welcomed Labour's acceptance of sanctions, but felt that the party gene rally had not realised all implications of them, as sueh knowledge could only be obtained in office. He was convinced the trade unions supported sanctions because Fascism suppressed trade unions, but there was no risk of Fascism >n Britain unless Communism was intro duced and there was not the slightest risk of that.