SELASSIE'S ARMY

Evening Post, Issue 82, 6 April 1936, Page 9

SELASSIE'S ARMY

ITALIAN CLAIM

LAKE ASHANGI BATTLE

WAY CLEARED FOR FUTURE

United Tress Association —By Electric Tele

graph—Copyright.

LONDON, April 4 An Asmara message states that the Italian high command clqims that the army of the Abyssinian Emperor has been finally routed and is fleeing in disorder after four days' operations in the neighbourhood of Lake Ashangi. The Emperor, accompanied by a small band of chosen warriors, is reported to have fled to Dessie. The Abyssinians have now withdrawn beyond Aggumberta Pass, south of Lake Ashangi. The Italians are reported to have reached Lake Tana, although it is not yet officially announced. Marshal Badoglio, receiving journalists at his headquarters, said: "I welcome this magnificent victory, which is the reward for the heroic valour of the troops and the high national pride and solidarity with which Italy accompanied the army's difficult enter- j prise. Whatever Haile Selassie does, he must be defeated, as the Abyssinians lack transport and commissariat."

OPPORTUNITY FOR BOLD PLANS.

An official statement says that the victory permits the high command to conceive and execute the boldest plans in the near future, which is believed to indicate an attack on Dessie.

According to a Jibuti message to Rome, Haile Selassie, after his defeat, telegraphed the Empress: "There is nothing left for you to do but to pray for me."

The British United Press correspondent at Asmara says that the military authorities believe that the Lake Ashangi battle provided Italy with a decisive victory, as not only was the Imperial Guard routed, but the armies of Ras Kassa, Ras Seyoum, Has Imru, and that formerly commanded by Ras Mulugeta Were all dispersed, consequently §classic is unable to offer another major battle, and must engage in guerrilla warfare in an attempt to hold on until the monsoon breaks in June. ■

MEETING OF LEAGUE COMMITTEE.

Geneva advices state that the Committee of Thirteen will probably meet on April 8 to discuss the report of the chairman, Senor de Madariaga, on the peace negotiations, also Italy's use of poison gas. Italy has refused to admit that the Committee is competent to deal with the alleged use of poison gas in Abyssinia, reports of which, she declares, are tendentious. She asks whether the Committee has similarly taken up allegations that the Abyssinians used dum-dum bullc/*j and other outlawed methods of warfare.

At Paris the Italian Ambassador, Signor Cerutti, informed M. Flandin in connection with Italy's acceptance of the Committee's proposals to discuss peace that Italy believes direct negotiations between Italy and Abyssinia would be more effective, the League intervening only to enable the necessary rapprochement.