GARRISON TO BE STRENGTHENED

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 96, 19 October 1935, Page 9

GARRISON TO BE STRENGTHENED

ITALIANS ACTIVE ON FRONTIER

TRENCHES BEING DUG

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received October 19, i 0.45 a.m.) LONDON, October 18. This Cairo correspondent ol" "The Times" states that the British Government, in agreement with the Egyptian Government, has decided, in view of the establishment of a temporary base lor the Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria and the increase of the Italian forces in Libya, provisionally lo strengthen Ihc British garrison in Egypt by a brigade of Infantry which will arrive shortly commanded Vjf Brigadier-General l'rlestman, wllo commanded the British troops in the Sa-ar. The air force is also being increased. Meanwhile two battalions, ohe British and the other Egyptian, have moved out to Mersa Matruh to support the Egyptian battalion normally stationed at Sollum on the frontier. The incoming battalion will be stationed at Alexandria. The British tlnited Press correspondent at Alexandria states that the Italians are reported to be active on the frontier. They are digging trenches and laying land mines in the neighbourhood of the Jarabus oasis and facing the Siwa oasis. It is reported from Addis Ababa that the negotiations initiated with Italy a week ago in respect to bombing the Jibuti railway are likely to be successful. Italy will agree not to bomb the railway on condition that munitions are not transported on the iine.^Abys- . sinia is agreeable, as caravan routes are open. It is reported at Addis Ababa that Signor Mussolini is displeased with General de Bono on account of the slowness of the advance. ' .