ABYSSINIAN WAR

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 98, 20 January 1936, Page 9

ABYSSINIAN WAR

Italians Claim Enemy Fleeing in South

MANY MILES GAINED

Abyssinians Elated at News From North By 'Telegraph.—Press Assn. — Copyright. London, January 17. In a communique issued by Marshal Badoglio it is claimed that the operations on the Ganale Dorya River have been completed and that the enemy is everywhere in flight, Ras Desta’s troops being disintegrated in the rout. The mechanised troops in some sectors advanced 75 miles and in one 125 miles. The enemy casualties were at least 5000. Many prisoners and large quantities of rilles and ma-chine-guns were captured. The losses of Italian nationals were small. Addis Ababa is equally elated at reports of operations in tlie Tembien region, where Ras Seyouiu is reported to he advancing. Prisoners report friction and unrest in the Italian ranks in Eritrea and Italian Somaliland.

Conflicting Reports.

Marshal Badoglio’s communique states that General Graziani’s troops are continuing the pursuit with no serious resistance. A motorised column advanced 125 miles from the base capturing detachments and abandoned material. The Abyssinians have 5000 dead. On the contrary Addis Ababa declares that the Italian claims are completely false and apparently advanced for the purpose of aiding their cause at the forthcoming League session. League information from Ogaden indicates that since January 13 Abyssinians have scattered ami moved to safer ground to avoid gas attacks.

An Alisum message states that the priests of E’mlarariam, the oldest an ( ] most revered Coptic Church in Abyssinia, have proclaimed the King of Italy their earthly protector and patron in lieu of Haile Selassie. This is regarded xs tantamount to excommunication of the Emperor.

Though the Italians, while not disclosing their own losses, claim that 4000 Abyssinians were killed in the Ganale Dorya battle, officials at Addis Ababa assert that the total of Ras Desta’s troops engaged was only 4000. They declare that his transport difficulties have been already partly overcome, and that reinforcements numbering 30,000 arc on their way to his assistance.

Correspondents’ Summing Up.

As far as is ascertainable in the face of the strict censorship, tho only immediate strategic result of the battle seems to be that an appreciable corner of Kenya Colony separates the remainder of the Ras Desta’s troops from Italian Somaliland. Moreover, if only 4000 were engaged, the action will not appreciably clear the Italians’ road to Jijiga and Harar. The “News-Chronicle’s” Dossie correspondent considers that despite the Italians’ claim of a victory, their projected main offensive to the north-west via Sidamo is still delayed by heat, malaria and lack of food. General Graziani asserts that his 75,000 troops now hold a front of 450 miles running 40 miles west of Dolo in a northeasterly direction through Gorahai and Sasa Ranch to the British Somaliland frontier.

Tho Addis Ababa correspondent of “The Times” says that General Graziani has only covered ground occupied by one Abyssinian camp. The Emperor’s officials declare that tho defenders on the Webbe Shebeli and Western Dawa Rivers arc untouched. Haile Selassie has ordered the formation of reserve headquarters behind Ras Desta under tlie command of Makonnon Woshenie, a civil war veteran, with a view to delivering an attack on Italian Somaliland ns a diversion in the event of General Graziani advancing northward.

A Dossie message states that the Italians bombed Korem and also dropped leaflets expressing regret that they wore obliged to destroy churches, promising to rebuild them in better style when their forces are victorious. ITALY TO TAKE PART League Council Meeting (Received January 19, 6.30 p.m.) Geneva, January 17. Italy will participate in the League Council meeting concerning sanctions on January 20. The League of Nations has received an Italian Note accusing Abyssinia of various atrocities. A Rome message states that tlie fact that Italy has decided to attend the League Council meeting does not imply active participation as the opinion is"still held at Rome that the council will not achieve anything important. Signor Mussolini, however, desires that Baron Alois! be on the spot to supply any information required about the alleged Abyssinian atrocities and to rebut the Red Cross bombing charges. Signor Suvich, Foreign Undersecretary, banded the Swedish Ambassador a formal Note rejecting the Swedish contention that bombs were aimed at tlie ambulances and asserting that the airmen aimed at legitimate military objectives. The Italian Government is. increasingly sensitive of foreign criticisms of tlie army’s slow advance, and bitterly resents talk of inactivity. Italian newspapers draw attention to the closing of the second month of sanctions, which, they declare, finds Italy even stronger than before, proving, according to Signor Mussolini's paper, the "I’opolo d’italisi,” that "Italy cannot lie coerced, humiliated and suffocated.” MAY NOT BE DISCUSSED Further Sanctions at League Meeting London, January 17. Tlie Geneva correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian” says that League of Nations quarters consider it is doubtful whether the extension of sanctions will even be discussed at tlie forthcoming meeting except in private conversations. It is pointed out that sanctions are not a matter for the League Council but for the Committees

of Eighteen and Fifty-two, neither of which will meet unless specially convoked.

Mr. Anthony Eden is likely to hold a watching brief. If the question is not raised he will say nothing, and if there is a proposal he will not oppose it but suggest that the committee of experts shall meet and decide whether the time is ripe for an extension of sanctions, tints giving the League a respite to see what tlie United States intends to do. Russia is not likely to give a lead, as it would lay the Soviet open to the familiar charge of being inspired by anti-Fascism,