ITALY'S HIGH COMMAND

Evening Star, Issue 22191, 20 November 1935, Page 11

ITALY'S HIGH COMMAND

MARSHAL DE BOHG RETURNING HEW CHIEF ON THE WAY Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, November 18. Marshal Badoglio, accompanied by his son Mario as secretary, left Naples for Abyssinia, .where they are expected to arrive on November 27. ADIGRAT, November 18. Marshal do Bono bade farewell to his comrades at headquarters before returning to Italy via Asmara and Harrar, THE SOUTHERN SECTOR ADIGRAT, November 18. There is little movement, in the southern sector, except a slow Italian approach to Dagabur, which is expected strongly to resist a frontal attack. The Gorahai area is still invested with Abyssinian guerilla bands, threatening the Italian advance. FASCIST GRAND COUNCIL ROME, November 19. Signor Mussolini presided ,at a further- meeting of • the Fascist Grand Council, which lasted from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., when a communique was issued merely stating that “ Signor Mussolini mado a report of a military and political character.” Several members participated in the discussion, and the council then adjourned to December 18. BIG AIR RAID 2,600 ABYSSINIAN CASUALTIES ASMARA, November 19. (Received November 20, at 11 a.m.)

Twenty bombing planes were employed in the biggest raid of the campaign thus far. Count Ciano led the planes to a spot south of Amba Alagi, where 15,000 Ahyssinians were concentrated in a deep valley, and ordered a ground attack, and, diving to under 100 ft, tho planes dropped bombs .and

opened machine gun fire, causing the Ethiopians to scatter. They replied with rifles and machine and anti-air-craft guns, hitting every plane, but none crashed. The Italians dropped 21b bombs continuously for two hours, and claim 2,000 Abyssinian casualties. Count Ciano’s petrol tank, undercarriage and rudder were hit by Abyssinian bullets. He ordered the planes to cease fire and return to the base, himself being compelled to make a forced landing, in which he was unhurt. At Makale Signor Mussolini’s sons participated in a raid. Their wings were riddled with bullets. ABYSSINIAN STRATEGY A DIFFERENT STORY OF THE ATTACK v LONDON, November 19. , (Received November 20, at 1.30 p.m.) The Asmara correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ puts a different complexion on the Italian bomb attack. Two squadrons of aeroplanes made a concerted onslaught on • 20,000 Abyssinians concentrated in a deep defile near Antalo. It was considered strange that they should expose encampments in an area constantly under aerial observation. The result proved that the camp was part of an elaborate stratagem; The camp itself was empty, but the sides of the gorge were manned by concealed machine gunners and riflemen awaiting the attack. When the squadrons flew low, bombing and firing, they were met by a heavy fire from the heights. All the planes were riddled with bullets, but continued in action until their ammunition was exhausted. Tho British United Press Association’s Asmara correspondent says Count Ciano’s aeroplane was hit 30 times. His machine gunner, Sergeant Bingo,, was severely wounded, but scribbled encouraging , Jiotes on blood-stained paper to the pilot. EMPEROR LEAVES CAPITAL ADDIS ABABA, November 10. (Received November 20, at 11 a.m.) The Emperor left by aeroplane for a destination not divulged. One report states it is Harrar, ami another the northern front.

ITALY EXPECTS VICTORY BY APRIL FRANCE DIVIDED ON SANCTIONS QUESTION LONDON, November 19. (Received November 20, at 11 a.m.) According to the well-informed Rome correspondent of the Austrian Government newspaper, ‘ Reichspost,’ it was stated at the meeting of tho Fascist Grand Council that Italy will probably attain her military aims in Abyssinia by April. French Rightist newspapers continue to inveigh against sanctions. ‘Le Matin ’ says; “ Nothing can excuse the privations to which we are condemning a friendly civilised people.” In refreshing contrast is a four-column article in tho ‘ Echo Do Paris ’ from its special commissioner in London energetically establishing Britain’s good faith in warning Signor Mussolini as early as December 3 last year of the conser quences of his aggression, and declaring to he wholly unfounded the French reproach that Britain forced France into an impossible position. The article has made a deep impression throughout France.

Messages from Rome tell of reduced train services because the freight is not offering. Incidentally this aids the fuel saving campaign under which offices are working from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with half an hour for lunch, to save light and fuel. Banks close at 1 p.m. FRANCE’S REPLY TO ITALIAN NOTE CHANGE IN ORIGINAL INTENTIONS PARIS, November 19. (Received November 20, at 10.35 a.m.) It is reported that France has changed her original intention of replying substantially in the same terras _ as Britain to the Italian Note protesting against sanctions. Instead, France’s Note, while drawing attention to the fact that France’s fidelity to the League Covenant forced her to agree to sanctions,, will emphasise friendship for Italy and efforts for conciliation. It. is stated that Britain has agreed to the terms of the Note. PREPARING THE REPLIES (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 19. (Received November 20, at noon.) The terms of the reply to the recent Italian Note to the British Government on sanctions is at present the subject of consultation between Britain and other covenant-enforcing powers to whom similar’ notes ' were addressed 'by Italy. The probability is that most of these powers will reply in terms, which in substance if not in text, will be on similar lines. It is anticipated that the British Government’s reply will be handed to Italy within a few days. REPLIES ON FRIDAY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 19. (Received November 20, at 1 p.m.) 1 The British reply to the Italian sanctions Note will be delivered on Friday, and the French reply will probably be delivered the same day. ITALIAN CONTENTION REFUTED PARIS, November 19. (Received November 20, at 2.30 p.m.) M. Laval handed Signor Cerutti the reply to the Italian protest against sanctions, which, it is understood, confirms the previous decisions. It is believed that the British ’ reply declines to accept the Italian contention that the procedure of the sanctioning States infringed the Covenant. SANCTIONS PROCEDURE THE KING’S APPROVAL RUGBY, November 19. (Received November 20, at noon.) The Prime Minister visited Buckingham Palace this morning and had audience with the King. Subsequently a Privy Council was held, at which a further order regarding the imposition of sanctions against Italy was approved by His Majesty. EARLY BATTLE INDICATED ABYSSINIAN LEADERS AT ODDS LONDON, November 19. (Received November 20, at 2 p.m.) The British United Press Association’s Asmara correspondent says that the indications point to an early battle in which Seyoum, in defiance of Kassa’s orders, is expected to lead 30,000 warriors against the Italians near Mnkale. Kassa declared that he was preparing the defence ofvhis area at Kworam, south of Lake Ashangi, which offered better tactical advantages than Seyoum’s sector, where the invaders. have gained a strong foothold. Seyoum retorted by ordering the drums to be beaten, rallying the troops to the colours. He sent a message to Kassa: “It is my duty to remain in the Tembian area.”

In the meanwhile, Abyssinian night raiders are harrassing the Italians in the Gheralta region between Makale and Hanzien. The British United Press Association’s Addis Ababa correspondent says that, after praying with his family at St. George’s Church at dawn, Emperor Salassie drove seven miles to the Akaki aerodrome. An aeroplane made a reconnaisance flight to ensure that no I talian machines were in sight, after which the Emperor entered the cabin of a monoplane, which took off escorted by two biplane lighters. Selassie is expected back shortly, but may explore the situation at Dcsye*