QUO VADIS?

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 82, 7 April 1941, Page 7

QUO VADIS?

Fleeing Italian Troops

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received April 7. 12.30 p.m.)

RUGBY. April 6,

Whether the arrival of advanced Imperial troops at Addis Ababa connotes the capture of the 'talian garrison, Avhich must have been considerable, is not yet known but military circles consider that the Italians handed the town over to the Imperial troops after withdrawing the bulk of their forces.

It is difficult to say in which direction these forces can safely withdraw. Withdrawal in any direction would be unwise, particularly to the north, since Imperial forces hold strong positions at Dcbra Markos. Flight in *he direction of As?ab would find the British waiting on the Red Sea coast.

The capture cf Addis Ababa would be regarded as an indication that the whole East African campaign might come to an end at no distant dale, but it is emphasised that recently there were computed io be 70,000 Italian troops and 100,000 Italian-controlled native troops still to be reckoned with. The figures do not allow for Italian forces that have been "mopped up" during recent operations.