ABYSSINIAN WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 124, 21 November 1935, Page 9

ABYSSINIAN WAR

ANXIETY FOR SELASSIE] MYSTERIOUS FLIGHT ETHIOPIAN NIGHT ATTACK SUCCESS ADMITTED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received November 21, 1 p.m.) LONDON, November 20. The Addis Ababa correspondent of "The Times" says that anxiety at the whereabouts of the Emperor Haile Selassie after his mysterious flight was somewhat allayed by a report that he had passed over Harrar towards Diredawa. The Government deliberately issued conflicting reports of his itinerary in order to reduce the risk of Italian pursuit.

The Italians' estimate of 5000 dead Abyssinians as a result of the Antalo bombing raid is countered by Ras Seyoum's assertion that the casualties were 10 killed and 30 wounded. It is suggested in Addis Ababa that the Italians mistook for corpses recumbent Abyssinians who in accordance with orders prostrated themselves when the aeroplanes appeared. "The Times" military correspondent comments on the Italians' good fortune in not being aerially opposed, a fact which saves them from something worse than congestion and internal disorganisation. It is reported from Asmara that the Italians admit a successful Abyssinian night attack on a cavalry encampment near Hauzien on November 18, with heavy losses on both sides. Captain Rinaldi, the detachment commander, was killed. IN THE OGADEN AREA.

The Harrar correspondent of "The Times" says that the Ogaden field radio, after weeks of silence, spoke to Harrah from beyond Dagabur and announced that Ras Ayele, with Waiziro Assageditch, wife of Habte Mikail, who insisted on going to the front, was moving south and had routed Italian Somalis. Ras Nasibu and Wehib Pasha have arrived at Jijiga, and ara optimistic regarding Ogaden, where Dedjamatch Abebe's troops number 60,000. The "Daily Mail's" Hargeisa correspondent says that Wehib Pasha later departed for the Sasa Baneh battle area, insisting on taking a hand after the recent Abyssinian defeat at Hananleh.

The Exchange Telegraph Company's Harrar correspondent says that the Assistant British Attache, Captain Taylor, and the Consul, Mr. Chapman Andrews, have left for Jijiga to confer with Ras Nasibu and observe the latest phase of the Ogaden situation. Great reticence is being observed. The "Daily Telegraph's" Addis Ababa' correspondent says that the Emperor's astrologers prophesy a decisive four days' battle in December, ending in a complete Abyssinian victory, with Haile Selassie leading the onslaught. Advice from Harrar says that Fitarauri -Ayele, the Emperor's chief huntsman, counter-attacked Italians between Anale and inflicting losses and recapturing positions, including Anal e It is reported from Addis Ababa that the Emperor Haile Selassie has ordered four Percival Gull aeroplanes similar to that of Miss Jean Batten for communication work. REPLY "TO NOTE ABYSSINIA'S STAND FIGHT TO THE DEATH (Received November 21, 1 p.m.) GENEVA, November 20. The League of Nations has received the Abyssinian reply to the Italian Note of November 11. It rejects with horror the Italian methods of civilisation and repeats that the Abyssinians will fight to the death, despite the massacre of women and children. BRITISH ATTITUDE INFORMATION TO OTHER GOVERNMENTS ; (British Offlclal Wireless.) (Received November 21, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, November 20. The terms of the draft Britisli reply to the Italian Note of protest against sanctions have been communicated for their information to the other Governments participating in sanctions, many of which had expressed a desire for information regarding the lines of the British and the.French replies. It is understood that the texts of the replies will be published on Saturday morning. The British Note will be handed to Italy on Friday. COUNTER BOYCOTT THREAT TO AMERICA CAREFUL CONSIDERATION WASHINGTON. November 19. The peculiar silence in official circles regarding the threat from Rome of a counter boycott of America if she followed the League in withholding exports of essential war materials should not be interpreted as Government indifference in the matter. Rather it would appear that the matter is so serious that reticence is being maintained while the situation is being cavefully considered. At a Press conference, President Roosevelt's only response to questions regarding the threat was, "Oh, did they?" From other sources, however, it was learned that pressure may be exerted on American companies to reduce oil shipments to Italy. It is pointed out that the Government has a handy weapon to use if it desires, as most of the shipping lines employing tankers receive Government subsidies.

The final decision will probably depend on whether President Roosevelt and Mr. Hull, Secretary of State, are pleased with exporters' efforts voluntarily to curtail trade with Italy. If is understood that during the past fortnight the trade in petroleum, iron, etc., has slighly slackened. Nevertheless, some exporters appear determined to take the best, advantage of the profitable market in war-lime Italy. An example was afforded by a freighter leaving the Pacific coast Inday with several thousand drum.'; if aeroplane petroleum. The vessel is re ported to have received a direct warning from Washington that sin- was sailing under her own risk. When the crew showed an inclination to heed

the warning, they were persuaded to serve by the granting of double wages.

The American Federation of Labour has announced that it is supporting the President's policy. A statement by Mr. Wilham Green, its president, intimated that shore workers and sailors might strike against the handling of war cargoes for Italy. IL DUCE "RESTRAINED DRASTIC RETALIATION BETTER COUNSELS PREVAIL LONDON, November 20. The "Daily Telegraph's" diplomatic correspondent says that private information from Rome indicates that the Fascist Grand Council's decision of November. 17 would have been far more positive and sweeping but for the advice tendered Signor Mussolini by Signor Grandi and General Balbo. There is good reason to believe that Signor Mussolini intended drasti: retaliatory measures against sanctionists, including the withdrawal of Ambassadors, the outcome of which must have been very dangerous. Fortunately wiser counsels prevailed which advised against .closing the door on all hopes of conciliation.

The "Morning Post's" Rome correspondent says that as the Council adjourned until December 18, it can be assumed that Signor Mussolini now intends to let economic, military, and diplomatic events take their course for at least a month before committing the country to the critical decisions which he feels he may be forced to make.

Meanwhile, Italian newspapers continue bitterly and scathingly to denounce sanctions, especially Britain's leading part. "II Tevere" even threatens war against sanctionists if they go too far, saying that sanctions are an act of economic war, and can easily become an act of war pure and simple.

The "News-Chronicle's" Rome correspondent says that teachers have been ordered to into school children's minds the "injustice" of sanctions. Children must learn by heart the names of countries imposing sanctions. RAIDS FOR LIVESTOCK BRITISH SOMALILAND COMPLAINT LONDON, November 19. The "Daily Telegraph's" Jibuti correspondent says that native Italian irregular troops are reported to be raiding British Somaliland for livestock, once seizing 800 camels and wounding several resisting tribesmen, who have strongly protested to the British authorities, demanding compensation. BEOADCAST BY MARCONI REFUSAL BY 8.8.C. LONDON, November 19. The "Daily Mail's" Rome correspondent says that the British Broadcasting Corporation refused an application from the Marchese Marconi, who is going to London on November 22, to broadcast a ten-minute address, throughout Britain giving the Italian viewpoint in the present controversy. The corporation explains that only British Government or League officials are permitted to speak on this matter. A- similar prohibition was extended to General Ezio Garibaldi, a grandson of the Liberator, on a recent visit to London. GOLD RESTRICTIONS DECREE IN ITALY ROME, November 19. An official decree creates a Government monopoly of purchases of gold from abroad. All forms of gold manufactures require a special permit for importation. Jewellers and citizens are forbidden to buy raw gold or second-hand, gold articles. Auctioneers must not' sell them and pawnbrokers must hand over unredeemed gold pledges to the Government. TECHNICAL SURVEY SEARCH FOR PEACE DISCUSSIONS IN PARIS (British Official Wireless.) (Received November 21, 1.15 p.m.) RUGBY, November 20. Mr. Maurice Peterson, head of the Abyssinian Department in the Foreign Office, who several weeks ago visited Paris dnd had conversations with officials of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a view to establishing technical details of the Abyssinian problem as a basis to which any proposals for settlement of the ItaloAbyssinian conflict might be referred, is returning tomorrow to Paris to assist the British Ambassador, Sir George Clerk, in discussions with the French Government of various matters arising out of the Italo-Abyssinian dispute. -

At the time of Mr. Peterson's former visit no proposals which gave any prospect of fulfilling the conditions which the British and French Governments consider essential, namely, that they are acceptable to the Ethiopian and Italian Governments and in consonance with the spirit of the League Covenant, were forthcoming. While there are no grounds for supposing that such proposals are now available, the request made by the League Co-ordina-tion Committee on November 2 that the French and British Governments "should work in the name of the League for the re-establishment of peace" makes desirable a continuation of the technical survey of the problem.