“ABYSSINIAN BARBARIANS”

Evening Star, Issue 22228, 4 January 1936, Page 11

“ABYSSINIAN BARBARIANS”

ITALIAN NEWSPAPERS AGAIN USE IF CHEMICALS CAGED Press Association — By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, January 2. The ‘Daily Telegraph’s ’ Rome correspondent says; “The newspapers demand more drastic warfare, including the nse of chemicals against the ‘Abysinian barbarians.’ The Government refuses to confirm or deny the statement that poison gas was issued. Signor Suvich received the Swedish Minister and expresed regret at the wounding of Dr Hylander, but emphasised that the mendacious _ versions of the bombing were misleading Swedish opinion.” The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ Stockholm correspondent says: “The Swedish Red Cross has decided to provide funds to investigate the bombing.” Meanwhile M. Laval has received Signor Cerrutti, resulting in various versions of ■ the conversation t The ‘ Daily Mail’s 5 Paris correspondent believes M. Laval explained his recent speeches in the Chamber, and men- . tioned the new situation caused by the bombing of the Swedish unit and possible diplomatic action at the meeting of the League Council on January 20. The ‘Daily Telegraph’s’ Paris correspondent says the meeting a new peace plan, which it is hoped will be successful before January 20. MASS HYPNOSIS FEATURE OF ITALIAN LIFE. LONDON, January 3. “Italy is entering the road trodden by Russia since 1917, just when the Soviet is abandoning it,” says the Romo correspondent of ‘The Times,’ emphasising ..that mass hypnosis, on which M., Lenin relied, is now a marked feature of Italian life. Nobody dares question Signor MussoInii’s right to dictate the country’s destiny. Italian newspapers are so shackled that their influence upon the middle classes has vanished. Meanwhile the loss of Americaii goodwill is profoundly depressing thoughtful Italians, who are always hopeful that the United States will again permit considerable Italian migration. They how fear that the Abyssinian policy will cause a tightening of the harriers. Nevertheless, the present fanatical wave of patriotic fervour seems proof against adversity and privation. However, Signor Mussolini’s announcement of an indispensable pause in the Abyssinian campaign has caused some revulsion of feeling among the . educated people, especially in northern cities. This may grow unless griped out by an early big victory, although Italy may continue in a mood to defy the world and follow H Duce to death or victory. CAMPAIGN OF DENIALS LITTLE TO REPORT FROM FRONTS LONDON, January 2. A campaign of statement and coun-ter-statement has begun. The Italian Government denies that Swedish officials were killed hy a bomb. This denial is on the authority of Marshal Badoglio, who announces that the intelligence branch has established that nobody was killed. Two Swedes were wounded. The Abyssinians deny decapitation of Italian airmen, adding that the allegation was an odious lie designed to cover an act of piracy. An Addis Ababa communique claims that the Italian outposts are withdrawing from areas south of Makale in the face of a threat by Ras Mulugheta’s forces, hut, Rome says there is nothing worth while to report from the fronts.

SWEDISH INDIGNATION STOCKHOLM, January 2. Indignation regarding the bombing is spreading. The Red Cross has been urged to replace the unit and send out additional doctors and nurses, for whiqh many are volunteering. POSITION OF RED CROSS UNIT m , ii < LONDON, January 3, The * Daily Mail’s ’ Addis Ababa correspondent says Mr Sidney Brown, the International Red Cross delegate, confirms -the report that the Swedish unit was surrounded by Red Cross flags and was at least 1,100 yards from the nearest troops. Ras Desta’s latest report states that 12 Italian aeroplanes participated. They also dropped gas bombs. ... LIBYAN TROOPS MUTINY ROME, January 2. It is officially admitted that a mutiny occurred in Libya, where native troops murdered an officer. The ■ Government spokesman says it is a normal and unimportant case of insubordination. Dessye claimed that the Abyssinians brought down an Italian plane, incinerating the four occupants, who were machine-gunning Wolkait. ITALIAN NATIVE TROOPS DESERTING AN ABYSSINIAN REPORT. ADDIS ABABA, January 3. (Received January 4, at 11 a.m.) The 'Abyssinians claim that Italian native troops are deserting. They report that IS Askari officers and noncoms. and 125 Eritreans entered the Abyssinian lines at Harrar. A message from Dessye states that gasibn reports that the Italians bombed

and machine gunned the wells at Bulale, 20 miles south of Daggahbur. Five people were killed. HOW ITALY WOULD REGARD AMERICAN EMBARGO ROME, January 3. (Received January 4, at IX a.m.) Senator Davanzati, writing in. ‘La Tribuna,’ declares that an American embargo on oil, cotton, and metals would be regarded as hostile towards Italy. ITALIAN SHIPS CARRYING POISON GAS PORT SAID, January 3. (Received January 4, at 11 a.m.) Italian ships traversing the Canal in the past fortnight reportedly carried 63 tong of poison gas*