NO ADVANCE IN NORTH

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21639, 25 November 1935, Page 11

NO ADVANCE IN NORTH

■ + i i ITALY TEMPORARILY AT STANDSTILL MUCH OF LINE LIGHTLY HELD MANY ABYSSINIAN RAIDS (UNITED TRESS ASSOCIATION—COrYBIQHT.) (Received November 24, 11.20 p.m.) ASMARA, November 23. Until Marshal Badoglio takes over from Marshal de Bono, whom he will meet at Massawa on Monday, there is no prospect of the resumption of the Italian advance. In the meantime General Santini will be in command. The northern line is now the shape of a huge ladle, with the handle beginning at the Sudanese border, extending south-east along the Takkaze to Addirassi, and thence eastward to Addi Felassie. Then comes the bowl, with Makale at the lowest point, rising again to Dangera, and thence running north to Azbi. The only part strongly held is a 20-mile crescent screening Makale. The right wing consists of lightly held and scattered mountain posts along Setit, which Dedjazmatch Ayelu is constantly harrying, while Ras Seyoum is worrying the Tembein section.

BIG SUBMISSIONS CLAIMED REPORTED SURRENDERS IN OGADEN (Received November 24, 10.50 p.m.) ROME, November 23. It was officially claimed to-day that the whole of Ogaden has submitted, but the statement was received with some reserve in the face of the recent proofs that Dagabur and Sasa Baneh were not occupied by the Italians who, however, admittedly dominate a huge area of the province. The communique saw that the submission was made spontaneously by chiefs desiring to participate in Italy's campaign of liberation. A later communique modified the claim, limiting the domination to the central and southern areas, where chiefs in the districts of Rerdalal, Makahil Rerelmi, and Secal submitted. It adds that Abdel Krim reorganised his tribe and surrendered with 1000 rifles.

NO CONCENTRATIONS IN OGADEN REPORTER'S FLIGHT ABYSSINIANS BEHEAD CAPTIVES (Received November} 24, 9.50 p.m.) LONDON, November 23. The special correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" at Addis Ababa, describing a 700 mile flight over the Ogaden sector, says he did not see any large bodies of either Abyssinians or Italians near Gorahai: This confirms the belief that the Italian activities are mostly confined to air bombing and tank attacks. He saw, south of Dagabur, portions of captured tanks, the occupants of which had been beheaded. This fate is promised other Italians captured. One chief, eulogising the Emperor, added: "We are tired of silly bombings, which are not a real man's way of fighting. We want to fight the Italians hand to hand as real soldiers."

ITALIAN CLAIMS DENIED EMPEROR'S REPORT ON AIR TOUR LONDON, November 22. "The Italians never achieved the advances which they claim to have made in the south," declared the Emperor, Haile Selassie, in a written statement about his aerial tour, which was given to the British United Press. "Actually they are still near the Ualual-Gorahai-Gerlogubi line that they occupied a month ago. The Abyssinians are still to the south of Sasa Baneh, which the Italians falsely claimed they had captured. "The operations in Ogaden have demonstrated that the Ethiopians are capable of resisting modernised troops, and even defeating them. The courage of the Ethiopians compensates for their lack of equipment. They would unquestionably have preferred to throw themselves at the enemy, but they understand the necessities dominating our strategic decisions. "Air bombing had not the least effect on the morale of the troops or the inhabitants. The effect of bombing was very meagre. For example, hundreds of bombs were dropped at Gorahai, yet our losses were only 17 killed or seriously wounded."

The Emperor explained that the purpose of his flight to the battlefront was not to encourage the troops, as that was unnecessary, but to learn their needs and to see for himself the actual military situation.