AKSUM THE NEXT GOAL

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 86, 8 October 1935, Page 9

AKSUM THE NEXT GOAL

THEN FORTNIGHT'S

HALT

THE ITALIAN PENETRATION

LONDON, October 7. It is reported that the Emperor has ordered Dedj.azmatch Amde to recover Dolo from the Italians in view of its strategic importance at the frontiers of Kenya, Abyssinia, and Italian Somaliland. Meauwhile, the invaders in this section are moving northwards consolidating the wells. , ;■■•.-'. Directing attention to "a persistent rumour, from a reasonably reliable source" that Dedjazmatch Ayelu led his troops across the Setit River, and is advancing towards- Agordat, "The Times's" special correspondent at Addis Ababa says that this,-with Dedjazmatch Haile Selassie's movement from Makale to Barakit suggests confirmation of the forecasts that Ethiopian strategy will be to fall back in the centre with a show of resistance at Adowa while the western and eastern flanks ate advanced northwards, but the British United Press special correspondent with the Italians at Adowa suggests that the invaders are planning, to resist such tactics. He. .says that the Italians have penetrated to an average depth of 25 miles and a width of 30 miles. Their next goal is Aksum; which will probably fall today, after which a fortnight's halt will be employed for consolidation, including reinforcements of men and artillery and the construction of roads. • ON THE EASTERN FRONT, The Addis Ababa1 correspondent of "The Times" believes that Gerlogubi has been wiped out: by Italian aeroplanes, but that there was no serious loss of life. Hundreds of bombs dropped on Goraphai failed to explode. Five were killed and 15 wounded. The small casualties are probably due to the softness of the earth. The ."Sun-Herald" agency's correspondent at Addis Ababa says that the Government admits that Adowa is taken, but states that the Italians are not yet occupying it.

The Emperor has ordered the entire population at Addis Ababa to dig trenches and bomb-proof shelters in the hillS adjoining the British Legation. The .arrangements for the speedy evacuation of the city are so thorough that it is expected that the Italian raiders will find it deserted. The diplomatic corps have telegraphed their respective Governments asking them to seek assurances that Italy will not bomb Addis Ababa or Diredawa. Air raids, however, are vmlikely while the Italian Minister remains at Addis Ababa.