TRUCE CANCELLED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 59, 10 March 1936, Page 7

TRUCE CANCELLED.

ITALO-ABYSSINIAN WAR. MUSSOLINI'S CHANGE OF MIND. CONFUSING REPORTS AND DENIALS. CEASE FIRE ORDER COUNTERMANDED. United Press Association.—Copyright.— Eee. 12.30 p.m. LONDON, March 9. The European situation was further confused by a cloud of confirmations and denials suddenly surrounding the reports that Signor Mussolini had ordered suspension of hostilities in Abyssinia. Editions of Italian newspapers were actually printed, carrying full accounts of the truce but were suddenly banned by the Government. Only a few copies reached the streets. The official spokesman stated later that there was no truce and no cessation of hostilities. Such reports were absolute nonsense. Some 'planes may have been ordered back to their base, but if so it was a purely military measure, not sonifying a pause in advance. "We are going ahead just as before," he added. When asked how categorical telegrams frcm correspondents at Asmara had passed the rigid censorship ;f the news of the truce was untrue, the spokesman declined to comment. Thus it appears that Signor Mussolini suddenly reconsidered his earlier decision to suspend hostilities. An Addis Ababa message says Abyssinia is not withdrawing her troops and does not consider there is any adequate reason at present to cease offensive action.