ITALY UNEASY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 93, 14 January 1936, Page 9

ITALY UNEASY

Immobility of Armies In Abyssinia LUKEWARM FRIENDS German General Staff Says War Already Lost DUCE LESS DESIRABLE AS AN ALLY By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received January 13, ,7.45 p.m.) London, January 13. The “News-Chronicle’’ says that trustworthy sources indicate growing Italian uneasiness at the immobility of its armies and the difficulty of maintaining supplies over the crumbling lines of communication. It is understood that the German General Staff reported to Herr Hitler that Signor Mussolini had lost the war. in Abyssinia, and accordingly the attractiveness of Signor Mussolini as an ally has dwindled in Nazi circles. Moreover, Signor Mussolini’s political position is becoming increasingly isolated, and ( his Austrian and Hungarian friends are growing lukewarm. The “Manchester Guardian’s” Paris -correspondent says that M. Chambrun, French Ambassador at Rome, had two lengthy conversations with JI. Laval. It is understood that JI. Chambrun detailed the position in Italy, which he described as going from bad to worse. Economic difficulties are rapidly increasing, and the people are becoming more aware of the folly of the Abyssinian adventure. As a result the Government will soon be only too glad to receive . a new “honourable” offer. Although the French are anxious to see the war end early it is now widely felt that Italy must be allowed to sink deeper into the bog before she is likely to listen to reason. Even newspaper's which ardently defended Signor Mussolini last year now condemn his folly in refusing to accept the Paris proposals in August and his Pontinia speech. Newspapers credit Britain with a desire to secure peace before a complete Italian breakdown, largely in view of complications Germany may create by suggestions that the Anglo-French military and naval co-operation should be balanced by reconsidering the demilitarisation of the Rhineland zouel The “Daily' Telegraph’s” Rome correspondent says that a military survey published in “Il Messaggero” is interesting as preparing the nation for the type of campaign which lies ahead. Slow and laborious progress on the Tigre front is indicated in a statement that colonial wars are perhaps won with picks rather than guns. Action in Somaliland is admittedly at a standstill. Here it is General Graziani who is pursuing a waiting policy.

SEVERE REVERSE Abyssinians Lose Heavily RAS DESTA REPORTED DEAD * / Asmara, January 12. The Abyssinian leader Ras Desta is reported to have been lost and 474 killed and 500 wounded in an encounter on December 30 with the chief Olal Dinle, who had submitted to the Italians. Olal Dinle, assisted by Italian aircraft, routed strong Abyssinian forces at Gabba, in the upper Webbe Shebeli region. Owing to engine trouble, an aeroplane crashed near Makale, the occupants, Luigi Lanza and Baron Alberto Ostini, pilots of Count Ciano’s squadron, who were recently decorated for bravery, and also a mechanic, Sergeant Barino, being killed. The aeroplane, which crashed on a hillside owing to low-lying clouds, is believed to be that in which Lanza, a lieutenant, and Baron Ostini, chief of the Press Bureau, were companions of Sergeant Balmazio Birago, who was the first Air Force casualty when he was fatally injured in November during a raid on an Abyssinian encampment. Has Desta is a son-in-law of the Emperor Haile Selassie, and Governor of the province of Sidamo. His father was killed in the battle of Adowa in 1896. AIR RAID EXPECTED Addis Ababa Inhabitants Warned (Received January 13. 7.10 p.m.) London, January 13. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Addis Ababa correspondent says that a proclamation was read to church congregations issuing a warning that the Italians would probably bomb Afldis Ababa between January 20 and January 22, which are the days of the Abyssinian Epiphany celebrations, bringing tens of thousands to the capital. Inhabitants have been ordered to construct shelters and those not obeying within a week will be fined. TURKEY AND LEAGUE Italy’s Note of Inquiry (Received January 13, 7.45 p.m.) London, January 12. The Constantinople correspondent of “The Times” says that the Italian Ambassador at Angora sent a Note to the Turkish Foreign Minister asking whether Turkey’s affirmative reply to Britain stating her readiness to fulfil her obligations under Article 16 of the League Covenant was reconcilable with the Italo-Turkish Treaty of Friendship of 1928. It is understood that Turkey will reply after consultation with other members of the Balkan Entente when. It is presumed, she will point out that her action was dictated by obligations to which treaty obligations were automatically subordinated. Members of the Balkan Entente decided, in conjunction with the Little Entente, that, they will support all proposals submitted jointly to the League for the solution of the Ethiopian dispute by England and France.