ITALIAN REVERSE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 113, 6 February 1936, Page 9

ITALIAN REVERSE

Makale Reported to be Surrounded

HEAVY CASUALTIES Abyssinian Attack in South Frustrated ’ ziy Telegraph—Press ~Assn.—Copyright. London, February 4. It is reported from Addis Ababa chat Ras Bayenna’s forces encountered Italians under the ex-Minister Count Vinci, north of Negelli, during the week-end and defeated the invaders, killing 7 l7oo, including many Blackshirts. and capturing 18 tanks, 70 machine-guns, three mountain guns and'll lorries.

Bag Seyoum is reported to have been victorious after two days of heavy fighting 18 miles south of Adigrat. The Addis Ababa correspondent of “The Times” says that the Abyssinian victory is reported to have resulted in Makale being completely surrounded and the Italians’ water supply in Ternbien threatened.

Italian messages assert that a squadron of Capron! bombers frustrated an expected attack on General Grazlana’s right flank by, 2000 Abyssinians, of whom 200 were killed. The Addis Ababa correspondent of “The Times” says that Abyssinian aeroplanes flew over Sidamo and dropped instructions to the populace to obey Ras Desta until the return of pedjazmatch Baicha and Dedjazmatch Gabrameriam. Ras Desta, though retaining the provincial governorship, may be relieved of the military command because he

is personally unpopular with the soldiers, who demand the old type of Am harp. leader. The Abyssinians are being reinforced in the province of Bale, preparatory to an expected attack by General Graziana, whose mechanised column bas _ been nearly doubled. MR. EDEN QUESTIONED House of Commons Replies (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, February 4, Among a number of important questions which were down for answer at the first meeting of the House of Commons for business since the adjournment before Christmas were several relating to foreign affairs. replies were given by Mr. Anthony Eden, who. rising to answer.for the first time as Foreign Secretary, was loudly cheered. \ Mr. Eden announced the issue of two White Papers containing a collection of documents descriptive of the League’s work on the Italo-Ethiopian dispute and correspondence in connection with the application of Article 10 of the League Covenant. The publication of these papers enabled the Foreign Secretary to confine his replies to half a dozen questions on the ItaloEthiopian dispute to a. description of the latest developments.

No Present Negotiations.

He recalled Wat when the League's Committee of Thirteen met at Geneva on January 20 it decided that at the present juncture there was no action it could usefully take to promote a settlement of the dispute' through agreement between the parties, but that it would not fail to submit suggestions to 'the Council should more favourable circumstances arise. “With that decision his Majesty’s Government was, and is, in entire agreement,’’ he added. In reply to a separate question. My. Eden Informed the House that his Majesty’s Government is taking part in no negotiations for a settlement of the dispute at the present time. Turning to the Committee of Eighteen, he reminded the House that the committee derived its authority from the Co-ordination Committee set up on October 10 last, on the recommendation of the League Assembly, to co-ordinate measures to be taken by members of the League in fulfilment of the obligations resting upon them under Article 10 of the Covenant. When the Committee of Eighteen met at Geneva on January 22 one of its tasks was to consider whether the embargo already existing.on certain exports to Italy could effectively be extended to cover petroleum and its derivatives, byproducts and The committee decided to convene a committee of experts to conduct a technical examination with a view to reporting at an early date on the effectiveness of extending the present measuresXof embargo to them. “I need only add that no time will be lost in the preparation of this report. The existing economic and financial measures under Article 10 are being maintained, and their operation is being closely followed.”

Aggression Question.

Finally, Mr. Eden referred to communications with other Governments on the question of military support to be afforded, under Article 10, paragraph 111, of the Covenant, to a State which, on account of its participation in measures of a financial and economic character applied collectively against an aggressor, might be exposed to armed attack by that State. The result of these exchanges, which,had been brought to the notice of all States represented on the Co-ordina-tion Committee and were now published as a White Paper, was to reveal at, identity of view in the. interpretation of that part of the Covenant among the Governments of France, Great Britain, Greece, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Rumania and Snain.