RAPID PROGRESS

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 268, 12 November 1935, Page 7

RAPID PROGRESS

fTAUAN PUSH IN SOOTH.

ABYSSINIANS REPORTED IN RETREAT.

DRIVE CONCENTRATED ON HARRAR.

United Press Association.—Copyright.— Eec. 10.30 a.m. LONDON, November 11. The British United Press correspondent at Harrar says it J, reported that Ras Desta, with a strong force, penetrated into Italian Somaliland behind Dolo, attacking General Graziani's rear, and afterwards tried to join Dedjazmatch Nasibu. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports from Rome state that Nasibu's troops mutinied and murdered him. A further Rome communique states that Chief Abd el Krim, the late Mullah's son, commanding important racial groups in Baghieri, Ogaden, has surrendered Gorahai. From the Italian military standpoint, the fall of Gorahai is one of the most serious blows to Abyssinia, endangering the whole zone and the reserves and concentrations between Sasa Baneh, Harrar and Jijiga, giving the Italians command of wells indispensable for troops and opening the direct route to Harrar along the Fafan Valley. Most of this morning's war dispatches deal with the reported arrival of Italians on the outskirts of Dagabur after the capture of Sasa Baneh. There is some incredulity that ordinaryforces could have made an unprecedented advance of 100 miles in seven days in such country, and it is suggested that the feat is attributable to the use of fleets of light tanks. A message from Rome confirms that the Abyssinians are massing at Amba Alagi, in the north, south of Makalle, but an unofficial message from Addis Ababa says the Abyssinians are in full retreat on the northern and southern fronts. The capture of Antalo, 30 miles north of Amba Alagi, is also reported.