ITALY WAITS EAGERLY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 185, 4 May 1936, Page 9

ITALY WAITS EAGERLY

Fall of Capita] Imminent PREPARING TO CELEBRATE (Received May 3, 7.30 p.m.) Rome, May 2. Italy is breathlessly waiting to celebrate *lie fall of Addis Ababa, and Marshal Badoglio is moving up from Dessie to participate in the triumphal entry into Addis Ababa. “I| Tevere” asserts that Addis Ababa is likely to be occupied tomorrow. Marshal isanogiio’g communique mentions overcoming considerable difficulties during the northern advance, and confirms the capture of a large quantity of war materat at. Mt. Tcrmaber, north of the dapital. Signor Mussolini’s s n-in-law. Count Ciano, In attempting a test landing at Akakl aerodrome, seven miles from the capital, received a burst of machinegun fire which pierced the petrol tanks, forcing the crew to stop the holes with rags; to enable a safe return. An earlier communique from Marshal Badoglio disposed of Friday’s report of the capture of Addis Ababa, and stated that the Italians were 70 miles fro T the capital. Ras Nasibn’s forces are retreating along the caravan route to Jijiga, and the casualties are estimated at 5000. The Italian losses in the entire operations on the southern front are 50 officers and ISO), men killed and wounded of whom 1100 were native volunteers An Addis Ababa message stated that the Emperor Haile Selassie, having partly reorganised his army, had dispatched two forces to stem the Italian advance on Addis Ababa.