DOUBTS AROUSED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 269, 13 November 1935, Page 7

DOUBTS AROUSED.

TRUE WAR POSITION.

Abyssinia's Tactics Cause Some

Anxiety,

PROBLEM OF ITALIAN THRUSTS. United Press. Association.—Copyright. (Received 12 noon.) LONDON, November 12. Gradually the stories from the war front are being elbowed from the main pages of the newspapers, some of which are more concerned to find' the true position of the Abyssinians than with the Italian achievemer.ts. The question is heing asked as to whether the Ethiopians' assertions that everything is going according to the plan for drawing the Italians into more difficult terrain masks anxiety in handling the complex difficulties the Italian thrusts create or ignorance of actual happenings. Invariably news from Addis Abab.a is about a day behind that filtering from the Italian fronts. The Emperor's news bureau time and again has professed to be without news concerning the fate of strategic points, the capture of which the Italians have already announced. At the Emperor's headquarters it is admitted that nothing has been heard from the southern front, but officials at the Palace are disposed to think that Dedjazinatch Nasibu's return to Jijiga from Dagabur may be the ptelude to a quick general withdrawal from Ogaden.

EMPEROR'S VIEW.

PLEA FOR PROTEGES.

Hour for Launching Battle Has Not Yet Arrived. PLANS NOT MISCARRIED. » (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON", November 12. The "Newfi-Chronicle" Addis Ababa correspondent, seeking to discover whether the Abyssinian war plans had miscarried, questioned the Emperor as to whether his guerilla tactics had succeeded a 6 well as was expected and whether the Abyssinians are able to check the Italians when they desire. The Emperor replied that "the hour for launching a great battle lias not yet struck. There has been nothing thus far to justify modification of our strategy. The Abyssinians' patriotism will enable economising of resources in order to conduct a lengthy war. "We are certain that if economic sanctions are carried out vigorously they will weaken Italy's capacity and appetite for war, but with or without sanctions, we are prepared to fight to the bitter end." Replying tc the possibility of a settlement, the Emperor answered: "I hope for an early peace, but I would reject any infringement of independence or liberties." He added that over 300 women and children had been killed and mutilated in the first month of the war.

Italy's Civilising Mission in Abyssinia. NEW ROLE OF PROTECTOR. (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, November 12. The full text of the Italian Note is now available. It fulfils forecasts and, moreover, declares that the prohibition of Italian exports is a veritable act of hostility amply justifying Italian counter-measures. The Noto also contends that the events since the last meeting of the League Council corroborate 'Italy's protests, and points out that numerous Abyssinian communities led by civil and religious authorities have placcd themselves under the protection of Italy, which has also abolished slavery. It adds that those liberated recognise in Italy not an aggressor but a Power fulfilling the League's civilising mission. Italy, thereby, has taken up new obligations of protection. If she now abandoned her proteges they would suffer terrible reprisals of revenge.