GREAT FORCE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 182, 30 April 1936, Page 11

GREAT FORCE

Italian Advance On Addis Ababa SEVENTY MILES TO GO Strongest Mechanised Army, Ever Employed BATTLE FOR SASA BANEH By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received April 29, 9.20 p.m.) London, April 29. Tlie Italian column, which is advancing on Addis Ababa along the Ankober Road, is described as t,IQ biggest and strongest mechanised force ever employed in warfare. It consists of over 2000 motor lorries, eaclt carrying 16 men, and a largo number of armoured cars and light tanks, and extends along more than 12 miles of roadway. It carries sufficient supplies and munitions for a month, and is thus completely independent and self supporting. The column, which left Dessie at dawn on April 26, has already traversed half the distance to Addis Ababa without meeting any 'organised resistance. This is causing no surprise, says the “Daily Mail’s” Rome correspondent, because the Italians have always declared since the battle of Lake Ashangi that no force capable of barring their path existed between them and Addis Ababa, whose fall is considered to be merely a question of days. A communique issued by Marshal Badoglio says that a motorised column left Dessie and advanced without resistance 82 miles toward Addis Ababa, and is now only 70 miles from the capital. The victorious Offensive has been continued in Somaliland. A Diredawa message states that a battle is still raging fiercely at Sasa Baneh, where the Abyssinians have repeatedly repulsed the Italians, who an* rushing up reinforcements from all sides.

An Addis Ababa message states that though the returning troops present a pitiful spectacle their moral is surprising. They declare: “We are ready to continue fighting and will never allow the enemy to remain in possession of our land. We can fight the enemy at any time. God looked the other way when brother ate brother and fog surrounded us clay and night.” This refers to the treachery of other tribes and to gas attacks. British correspondents contrast the cheery welcome returning soldiers were given in the World War with the population’s silent indifference to the warriors who have put up a heroic struggle against all the resources of modern war. ITALIAN STATEMENT Enemy Using British-made Dum-dum Bullets Dr. M. Dessaules, Consul for Italy, supplies the following statement:— “After the battle of Lake Ashangi, about-2000 dum-dum bullets were found on the battlefield; those still in the packages showed that they were of British manufacture; the origin of the loose bullets could rot be identified. Together with the dum-dum bullets have been found on the various battlefields many cartridges with leaden expanding bullets. Marshal Badoglio states that most of the Abyssinian fighting men are equipped with dumdum bullets. “The Italian military authorities in Somaliland inform that out of 160 wounded who have been brought to Mogadiscio after the recent battle of Gianagobo, 120 were wounded by dumdum bullets. “The preceding facts will be communicated by the Italian Government to the League of Nations and to the Committee of the Red Cross.” OUTLAWING GAS Pact by Military Chiefs Suggested London, April 28. “Italy's friends throughout the world deeply regret the use of poison gas," says the “Dajly Mail” in suggesting that as conferences of politicians have failed a conference should be held of the military chiefs of Britain, France. Italy and Germany. “It has been said,” continues the “Mail,” “that a chemical peace cannot be achieved by a mere signature, but a decision involving the honour of Europe’s greatest military chiefs would be in a different category.” RIGHTS PROTECTED Egypt and the Blue Nile (British'Official Wireless.) _ Rugby, Apr! 28. A member asked in the House of Commons this afternoon what steps the Foreign Secretary was taking to protect the rights of Egypt with regard to the headwaters of the Blue Nile, recently occupied by Italian troops. Lord CrShborne, Foreign Under-Sec-retary. replied that the rights of Egypt, as of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan and his Majesty’s Government are protected by existing agreements with both Abyssinia and Italy. RUNAWAY AIRMAN Forced Landing in .Italy Rome, April 28. The airman, Rene Drouillet, Haile Selassie’s aerial expert, made a forced landing at Centocelle Aerodrome. The aeroplane was seized, but Drouillet disappeared. Drouillet. who could not secure permission to flv to Abyssinia, was allowed on Sunday to test the brakes of the plane at the Villn Coublay aerodrome. He suddenly put on speed, ascended a disappared, and had not been reported until his forced landing in Italy.