BRITAIN EVACUATES FRONTIER POST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 307, 28 December 1935, Page 9

BRITAIN EVACUATES FRONTIER POST.

OH LIBYAN BORDER.

Reported Clash With Italian Troops.

AVOIDING PROVOCATION,

United Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON, December 27.

The Sun-Herald news service says the British and Egyptian authorities have decided to evacuate the post of Solium, on the Libyan frontier, to avoid the possibility of provocative or hostile incidents. The British forces henceforth will be based on Mersa Matruh, 120 miles from Italy's Cyrenaican frontier.

Meanwhile, details are awaited of a reported clash between Italian and Egyptian troops on the Libyan border.

It is reported that Signor Mussolini ha 3 ordered the crack mechanised Trento Division of 18,000 men to prepare to cross the Mediterranean to the Egyptian-Libyan border.

An Italian steamer secretly left Leghorn on December 19, ostensibly for Italian Somaliland, but it carried guns and mechanised vehicles for Tripoli and the Italian border. These movements are interpreted as Italy's first precautionary measures following the breakdown of the Hoare-Laval plan.

ITALY PREPARES.

Forcing Campaign Before Sanctions Harden.

NAVAL MOBILISATION.

ROME, December 27.

Now that Christmas is over, Italy is preparing for important military and political events, which are believed to be imminent. The last few days are considered to have been merely the lull before the storm.

There is no doubt here that the new British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, will lose no time in changing the British policy to one of close co-opera-tion with the League, which, it is believed here, means the strictest enforcement of sanctions.

It was reliably reported yesterday that in view of a possible development in the Mediterranean the Italian Navy is preparing for action. Thirteen thousand naval specialists have been called to active service. Most of them, it is said, have formerly worked at the guns or in' the magazines of Italian ships.

Because of the delicate diplomatic situation in Europe, it is reported that Signor Mussolini's strategy will be to take the initiative in the military field by pushing operations in East Africa in the hope that he may obtain a solution of the Italo-Abyssinian controversy by force of arms before the European situation becomes more complicated.

It is thought that Marshal Badoglio will begin by advancing the centre of the line from Addi Abbi to Gheva, which is a stronger defensive position than he is now occupying. Then he is expected to order an advance southward from Makalle toward Ambalagi and Lake Ashangi. FREIGHTS SOAR. Scandinavian Ships Loading American Oil. PROFITS OF SLAUGHTER. (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, December 27. Oil freight rates to Italy have advanced sharply owing to Italy at present drawing the bulk of her supplies from the United States and relying on Scandinavian shipping for its transportation, says the shipping writer of "The Times."*

The Norwegian motor tanker Mosli was chartered to load 12,000 tons of petrol at Gulf ports at 18/6 a ton, which is believed to be a record for the voyage, and is about 5/ dearer than six months ago.

Two other Norwegian vessels obtained 16/6 a ton, while 30/ was paid to the Norwegian, tanker Rigmor, which left Los Angeles with 9500 tons for Massawa, via the Red Sea, a voyage of 11,000 miles, but it avoids canal dues at Panama and Suez.

The Italians are paying 9/6 a ton to Port Said from Naples. The normal price is 5/.

The Norwegians are quoting lower than British tankers, owing to less war risk insurance. It is believed that the rates will generally harden.

France, Yugoslavia, Turkey and Greece have informed Great Britain that they will support her in the event of an Italian attack, thus reaffirming their obligations for mutual support in accordance with the League Covenant.

SKIRMISHES RESUMED.

ITALIANS CLAIM SUCCESS

(Received 10 a.m.)

ROME, December 27.

Marshal Badoglio has issued a communique announcing the defeat of parties of Abyssinians in the Takazze sector with heavv losses. Six Italians and three Eritreans, it is announced, Were killed.

OUTPOSTS DEFEATED.

GAIN FOR ETHIOPIA

(Received 10 a.m.)

ADDIS ABABA, December 27

The Government announces that the troops of Dedjazmatch Hailu yesterday drove Italian outposts from their positions in the Tembien region near Makalle and captured 11 machine-guns and a quantity of rifles and ammunition. -