ITALIAN SOMALIS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 127, 25 November 1935, Page 11

ITALIAN SOMALIS

REPORT FROM HARRAR

USE IN VAN OF ATTACKS

REFUGEES' ALLEGATIONS

Dnlted Press Association—By Electric Tele

graph—Copyright. (Received November 25, noon.)

LONDON, November 24. Unconfirmed reports received at Addis Ababa that the Abyssinians have recaptured Gorahai are considered improbable, as it is understood that the Emperor has instructed Ras Nasibu not to attack Gorahai but to let the Italians extend their line further northwards until a weak link in the chain appears, when the Ethiopians will launch a concerted attack. It is reported from Harrar that Italian Somalis, objecting to always being used as the spearhead of attacks, mutinied and killed thirty Italians. ALLEGATIONS AGAINST ITALIANS. An Addis Ababa communique" alleges that 200 starving and terrorstricken refugees, including women hugging dead babies to their breasts, staggered into Abyssinian camps in the north declaring that the population of Tigre is suffering intensely owing to the Italians commandeering grain and cattle, assaulting girls, bombing villages, and pursuing inhabitants with machine-gun fire. It is stated that large numbers of women and children have died of starvation and that the population of the occupied territory is suffering such cruelties that they would flee but for the fact that they would be immediately shot down if they attempted to cross the Italian lines. SUBMISSIONS IN OGADEN. A message from Rome states that it is officially claimed that the whole of Ogaden has submitted, but the statement is received with some reserve in face of the recent proofs that Dagabur and Sasa Baneh have not been occupied by the Italians, who, however, admittedly dominate a huge area of the province. A communique says that the submission was made spontaneously by chiefs desiring to participate in Italy's campaign of liberation. A later communique, however, modifies the claim, limiting the domination to the central and southern areas, where chiefs in the districts of Rerdalal, Makahil, Reremli, and Secal submitted. It adds that Abd el Krim, the Mullah'? son, has reorganised his tribe and surrendered with 1000 rifles. NOT THE WAY TO FIGHT. The "Daily Telegraph's" special correspondent at Addis Ababa, describing a 700-mile flight over the Ogaden sector, says he did not discern any large bodies of either combatants around Gorahai, confirming that Italian activities are mostly confined to air bombing and tank attacks. He saw south of Dagabur portions of captured tanks, the occupants of which were beheaded. This fate is promised other Italians who are captured. One chief, eulogising the Emperor, added: "We are tired of silly bombings, which are not a real man's way of fighting. We want to fight the Italians hand to hand as real soldiers." A Harrar message states that the recent appearance of reconnaissance aeroplanes is interpreted as a prelude to a visit of bombers, and therefore all troops have been ordered to strike camp and disperse. Harrar at present is teeming with natives rallying to the Emperor's call to the colours. LINE LIKE HUGE LADLE. An Asmara message states that until Marshall Eadoglio takes over from Marshal de Bono, whom he meets at Massawa on Monday, General Santini is assuming the northern command, and there. is no prospect of a resumption of the Italian advance. The northern line is now shaped like a huge ladle, with the handle beginning at the Sudanese border and extending southeast along the Takkaze River to Addi Rassi, thence eastwards to Addi Felassie. Thereafter comes the bowl, with Makale the lowest point, rising again to Dangera, and thence running northwards to Azbi, the only part strongly held on the 20-mile crescent screening Makale. The right wing consists of lightly-held scattered .mountain posts along the Setit River, which Dedjazmatch Ayelu is constantly harrying, while Ras Seyoum worries the Tembien section.