DOLO BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 99, 21 January 1936, Page 9

DOLO BATTLE

Ras Desta’s Retreat May Be Tactical Move LURING GRAZIANI ON Communications Likely To Be Harried Uy Telegraph.-Press Assn.—Copyright (Received January 20, 7.45 p.m.) London, January 19. In lhe wake of the jubilant Italian claims of victory at Dolo, Sir Percival Phillips, cabling to the “Daily Telegraph” from Djibouti, suggests that lias Desta’s retreat was a tactical move designed to lure General Graziani into country where his communications can be cut. “Ras Desta is reported to have withheld his main army and to be awaiting an opportunity for a flanking movement,v he states. “The Abyssinian losses were due largely to massed counter-attacks in the open against Ras Desta’s orders. The Italian spearhead is now in country in which it will be easy to harry the communications.” The “Evening News” agrees that General Graziani achieved little and has possibly weakened his position, as he lias doubled the length of the Italian line, intensifying the strain on communications. This has not brightened the prospects of a general advance, though it has temporarily removed the danger of an Abyssinian incursion to Italian Somaliland. The “Manchester Guardian” says that the Italians are momentarily in the ascendant in the south and are still struggling desperately in the north, where guerrilla fighters are harrying the invaders’ posts. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Addis Ababa correspondent says that Somali deserters from the Italian army who are reaching Ras Desta’s headquarters report friction between the Fascist militia and the regular troops, involving rioting. Fascists are reported to be receiving honours and rewards while regulars are doing the fighting and enduring the hardships. The Rome correspondent of “The Tinies” says that authoritative circles describe the Ganale Dorya victory as important rather than decisive, and express the opinion that a decisive blow will be struck on the northern front. Motor transport gave the Italian pursuers a marked advantage over the flight-wearied Abyssinians. General Graziani allegedly sent a message to his men: “Chase the enemy and give him no rest. Get your teeth into him.”