ITALIANS CHECKED

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 183, 1 May 1936, Page 11

ITALIANS CHECKED

Stubborn Resistance By Abyssinians SASA BANEH BATTLE Rain Impeding Invaders* Progress EMPEROR WILL FIGHT ON By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received April 30, 10.40 p.m.) London, April 29. It is reported froth Rome that the Italians admit they have met with resistance of “unforeseen vigour” at Sasa Baneh. Heavy rains are making the roads impassable and impeding the operations. The troops are reported to be resorting to the use of gas. A communique issued by Marshal Badoglio reports that the motorised column is making slow progress. Another column which is proceeding by a shorter and more difficult route crossed the River Mofer, 80 miles from the capital. The Addis Ababa correspondent of “The Times” states that the Emperor, Haile Selassie, reiterates that he will fight to the bitter end in fulfilment not only of his sacred duty to his people but to guard the last citadel of collective security and face his responsibilities to the whole of humanity until his tardy allies appear. “If they never come,” he added, “I prophesy that the West wilt perish.” The Emperor’s statement was communicated by the Emperor to the Addis Ababa correspondent of “The Times.” It is his answer to a London newspaper report stating that he had acknowledged that Abyssinia could no longer resist an enemy employing every device of modern warfare. The correspondent adds that the Emperor has never acknowledged that the country’s resistance is broken. On the contrary, he has repeatedly stated that they would fight on to the end, whatever it might be, for the system of collective security, the destiny of which was now inextricably interwoven with theirs. The only sign of the Italian column advancing from Dessie toward Addis Ababa is the Eritrean advance guard, which is still at Warra Hailu owing to the absence of motor roads compelling the motorised troops to take the “Imperial Road” across the BorkennaRiver, 20 miles south of Dessie, until they reach the Robi River, 110 miles further on. The Robi is already blocked with lorries, which will find equal difficulty in the heavy soil in the Sholameda district, ■ where infantry have detrained from the lorries. Shoan troops defend Gibwasha Mountain, 30 miles south of Robi, where a conflict is expected. A small section of the defenders have been supplied with gasmasks.

Heavy rains are being experienced on the southern front, and stubborn Abyssinian resistance under capable leadership, supported by bayonet charges, compelled General Graziani to order his troops to take a “wellearned rest.” Meanwhile he is resuming the use of mustard gas. The Rome correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says that General Verne’s motorised column on General Graziani’s left, after its arrival at Renda, on the Fafan River, from Dagamodo, became heavily engaged and retired after three hours’ fighting to Dagamodo to await reinforcements. A later message states that Italian aeroplanes machine-gunned hangars and aerodromes at Addis Ababa. Dr. A. J. Melly has returned to the capital with the British ambulance unit. BRITISH APPROVAL Efforts to Assist Gas Sufferers (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, April 29. Asked in the House of Commons whether the Government proposed to take any action with a view to supplying to Abyssinia gas masks and chemical materials for the treatment of gasinflicted wounds, the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Edeir, said he understood that appropriate medical supplies for the treatment of sufferers, or funds for their purchase, were being forwarded to Abyssinia by various societies and private organisations in Britain. He need hardly add that humanitarian efforts of that description had the warm approval of the Government. BARBAROUS WARFARE Archbishop Outspoken (Received May 1, 12.16 a.m.) London, April 30. “It is never more difficult to restrain our language than when we consider what is happening in Abyssinia,” declared the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Cosmo Lang. “The impotence of Christian Europe, while people who profess to be Christian use every barbarity in the name of civilisation is lamentable.” DROUILLET RELEASED Italians Impound Plane Rome, April’ 29. The authorities have impounded Rene Drouillet’s aeroplane in the absence of his having a permit to fly over Italy, but have released the aviator. He disclosed that his original plan was to fly to Addis Ababa via Corsica, Crete and Arabia. He had three secret filling stations en route, but between Corsica and Crete, where the first depot was concealed, engine trouble necessitated his seeking the nearest land. The engine was almost seizing when he reached Centocelle. M, Drouillet’s future plans are uncertain. He may be returned to France, where a warrant awaits him for leaving Villa Coublay without a permit. Roue Drouihet, Haile Selassie’s aerial pilot, defied a ban against his leaving . France and set out to fly to Abyssinia, but was compelled to make a forced landing in Italy.