FLANKS EXPOSED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 238, 8 October 1935, Page 7

FLANKS EXPOSED.

ITALY HARASSED. Ethiopia's "Legions of Death" Counter-Attack. TROUBLE FOR INVADERS. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, October 7. Eas Seyoum's troops are conducting a counter-offensive, which has not yet reached formidable dimensions. They were divided into guerilla bands 300 strong, known as the Legions of Death. They captured Adi Kail, a small Eritrean town within striking distance of the Massawa-Agordat railway, on which Italian supplies are based. The inhabitants are supporting them against the Italians. Other units of Kas Seyoum's forces occupy the hills overlooking Adowa and are harassing the invaders by ceaseless rifle fire. Their elusive tactics are defying discovery by aeroplane. The third Italian column marching to Adowa have encountered. Abyssinian 3 near Adigrat, and fierce fighting ensued but a major engagement did not develop. The "News-Chronicle" military expert points out that the Italian flanks are still in the air. Haile Silassie's local strategy is to allow the invaders to advance down the difficult Takkaze Valley, which liis mountaineers will attack from east and west. ABYSSINIAN DEAD. HUNDREDS, NOT THOUSANDS. (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 7. The "Daily Mail" Addis Ababa correspondent says the Abyssinians place their casualties at 700 and ridicule the Italian estimate of 7000, as the entire sector did not contain so many troops. DOCKERS' DECISION. NOT LOAD SHIPS FOR ITALY. (Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 7. The "Manchester Guardian" Paris correspondent says the Dockers' Union has instructed members to refuse to load vessels for Italy, especially if the cargoes' are likely to be of military value. This may apply to foodstuffs. MARKETS EASIER. I. LONDON 'CHANGE REACTIONS. (Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 7. '£he "Daily Mail" City editor says more cheerful market conditions prevail owing to the view that serious European reactions to the Abyssinian situation are not likely, also that war will be confined to Africa. "DUD" BOMBS. RAIDS ON GERLOGUBI. LONDON, October 7. The Addis Ababa correspondent of "The Times" says he believes Gerlogubi was wiped out by Italian aeroplanes, but with no serious loss of life. Hundreds of bombs dropped on Gorahai failed to explode. Five people were killed and 15 wounded. The small casualties probably were due to the softness of the earth. The Sun-Herald correspondent at Addis Abnba says the Government admits that Adowa was taken, but the Italians are not yet occupying it. OIL FOR ITALY. TREATIES FOR SUPPLIES. ROME, Octojier 7. "We don't care a curse," inscribed on banners carried by demonstrators, reflects the Italian viewpoint regarding sanctions, and it is pointed out that while Geneva is talking Italy has concluded commercial treaties with Spain and Rumania. The latter country has promised not to terminate Italy's oil supplies.