DISAFFECTION IN ABYSSINIA.

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21707, 14 February 1936, Page 13

DISAFFECTION IN ABYSSINIA.

Rumours of Internal

Disturbances

WANING ALLEGIANCE TO

HAILE SELASSIE

(mfmu> TM3B ASSOCIATION—COPTOUT.) ■ (Received February 13, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, February 5 12. Rumours of internal disturbances in Abyssinia support the belief of English and French observers that the German militarists’ opinion, that Italy is already beaten, is premature, states the Sun-Herald News Service. General Baratier, in an article in “Le Temps,” says: “The war is entering a new stage in which battles will become more frequent before the rains, with unpredictable results.” He asks: “Will the Abyssinians grow tired of such a prolonged conflict, which is something new in their history?” The Djibouti correspondent of the “Daily Mail” agrees that if the Italians prolong the war it will cause the complete disintegration of the country. There is no real central command and no real patriotism among the chiefs, although they are fighting valiantly. Allegiance to the Emperor is waning as the exchequer empties. The pay of the officials, teachers and the Imperial Guard is already months in arrears, and the peasants axe Toeing starved to leed tTae army. A spark would ignite a revolt.

EFFORTS TO KILL EMPEROR

OBJECT OF ITALIAN BOMBING RAIDS

BELIEF THAT THIS WILL END WAR

(Received February 13, 10.40 p.m.). LONDON, February 13. The Djibouti correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” states that the most important objective of the Italian campaign in Abyssinia at present is the Emperor himself. Aeroplanes are roaring above Makale and Dessie almost every day, trying to discover his whereabouts, with the intention of bombing him. This was the real objective of the last Dessie raid, of which the Emperor was fully aware. It is believed at the Italian headquarters in Eritrea that ‘the Emperor’s death would speedily end the war. . This has become almost an obsession, but there is little danger of the Italians getting him. He is still, in the Dessie area, where six special bombproof shelters have been constructed, securing him against attacks. He sleeps in a different one each night, while he only goes abroad in day-time, well camouflaged from the air.

REPORTED COUNTERATTACK

ITALIAN ADVANCE IN MAKALE SECTOR

ABYSSINIAN CLAIM

(Received February 13, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON,. February 12. The Italians are reported to have begun an extensive counter-attack in the Makale sector, having reached so far the neighbourhood of Scelicot. The Addis Ababa correspondent of “The Times” states that the Abyssians claim that Italian outposts west and south of Aksum have withdrawn close to the town. Both sides suffered casualties in an encounter at Wujelli, south of the Dawaparma river. The Italian commander was killed.

CASUALTIES ON BOTH SIDES

ITALIAN STATEMENT DENIED IN ABYSSINIA

ROME, February 12. It is officially stated in Rome that 261 askaris lost their lives in Eritrea and Somaliland in January, and 775 have been killed since October 3, when the war began. Of 50,000 workmen employed in East Africa 278 died between January 1, 1935, and January 31, 1936. This statement of casualties is officially denied in Dessie, where it is asserted that after the battle in the Tembien, Abyssinian parties interred 15,000 Italians and 4123 askaris. The statement adds that 333 askaris have deserted to the Abyssinians in the current week. Ras Seyoum declares that he has started his own caporetto brigade with equipment taken from those slain in the Italian caporetto brigade. He is fitting them out with khaki shorts, boots, and puttees, but is not using the, black shirts.