ETHIOPIAN ADVANCE AGAINST ITALIANS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 299, 18 December 1935, Page 7

ETHIOPIAN ADVANCE AGAINST ITALIANS.

REVERSE INFLICTED. Emperor's Troops Attack In North Sector. DEFEAT DURING RETREAT. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 12.30 p.m.) ROME, December 17. The Italian Commander-in-Chief in East Africa, Marshal Badog'lio, admits an Italian reverse in a retreat following an Abyssinian encircling movement. A communique says a considerable force, estimated at 3000, attacked Italian outposts on the Takazze River, near a ford at Maiti Mehei;.

The Askaris, after a stiff resistance, retired on the Dembeguina, a tributary of the Takazze. Another Abyssinian group forded the river with a view to the encirclement of Shire, where the population submitted. This resulted in a battle, in which Italian aeroplanes and armoured cars actively participated.

Thus far four Italian officers and nine men have been killed, and three officers are wounded. The Askaris lost ten killed or wounded. Abyssinian casualties are said to be considerable.

The Exchange Telegraph Company's correspondent at Asmai;a points out that the attack at Maiti Mehet was only a diversion to mask a larger movement southward, in which forces commanded by Dedjazmatcli Aileu Burruh, one of Haile Silassie's most trusted leaders, penetrated the Shire and Addi Abbo regions with a view to intimidating seceding tribes and attacking the flank of the Italians west of Aksum. '

The Abyssinian advance began before dawn, and was still proceeding in the afternoon.

The Italians have begun a 100-mile asphalt road from Adigrat to Makalle, aiming at its completion before the rains in April prevent communications.

A London message says "The Times," in a leader, points out that the Italians, in spite of 10 weeks of strenuous effort, have gone but a little way toward solving their problems. Their limited achievements have seriously diminished their prospects of adequate progress before the rains return, accentuating the difficulties and loneliness of the outposts, through whose blood a chill must run every nightfall. Such conditions may well influence Italian statesmanship, with its tradition of realism.