MAY BE CUT OFF

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 149, 19 March 1936, Page 9

MAY BE CUT OFF

Kalian Force in North of Abyssinia PERSISTENT REPORTS Signs of New Offensive in South By Telegraph—Press Assu.—Ciqiyrlght. London,March IT. Consistent though unconfirmed reports at Addis Ababa support the belief that the Italians are in grave danger of being cut off at Amba Ahiji. Haile Selassie is reported to be in personal command of tlie . defenders. An intense aerial bombardment sweeping the entire southern front is believed to be tlie prelude to a fresh Italian offensive by General Graziaua. The Italians hope to prevent the Abyssinians reassembling their forces on tlie extreme left, namely, in the Negelii sector, where Has Desta was defeated. Five thousand Gallas of the Azebo tribe, whom the Italians supplied with arms and money to enable them to revolt, brought the money and arms to the Emperor, to whom they swore allegiance. The Dessie correspondent- of “The Times” states that an Italian bombing areoplane damaged at Quoram, but not irerparably, the Fokker aeroplane which the Emperor Haile Selassie presented to the Abyssinian Red Cross, and which is usually piloted by the Swedish pilot, Baron von Rosen. The Fokker was plainly marked by a red cross on both wings, and was standing unconcealed on the plain. The Italian machine descended within 600 feet, using a machine-gun and bombs. The officer in charge of the Red Cross unit, Dr. Juno, reported the occurrence to Geneva, pointing out that the Fokker was not connected with military services. LEAGUE MEDIATION Consideration of Replies to Appeal (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, March .17. It is announced that the Committee of Thirteen of the Council of the League of Nations will meet in London to-morrow to consider the replies of Italy and Abyssinia to its appeal of an immediate opening of peace negotiations. Both replies are. in tlie affirmative in principle. ’. ■-■■■■ ■ £. ■ - MR. RICKETT BACK IN ABYSSINIA Jibuti, March 17. Mr. F. W. Rickett, who formerly secured oil concessions iu Abysshiiaj arrived by air en route'to Addis ;Ababa. ostensibly, bn; g. diploma tic. mission