ITALY’S PLIGHT

Evening Star, Issue 22233, 10 January 1936, Page 7

ITALY’S PLIGHT

PROBLEMS ACCUMULATING DAILY MILITARY POSITION UNSATISFACTORY FINANCIAL CRASH EXPECTED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, January 9. (Received January 10, at 11-15 a.m.) The ‘ Sun-Herald ’ says :—Evidence of Italy’s plight accumulates daily. All the European chancellories believe the financial and economic position is so serious that Italy cannot escape a financial crash after June, at the latest. The military position is equally unsatisfactory. A substantial advance in the north is regarded as impossible before the rains. The utmost congestion is reported in East African ports, .while the transport systems, including roadmahing, are declared to be verging on the chaotic. Fifty tanks are stranded in the northern section of Abyssinia without approaching the front line. The Italians, thus far, have utilised only one-tenth of white effectives in the front line. REVOLT SPREADING INTERNAL CAMPS ESTABLISHED LONDON. January 9. (Received January 10, at 11 a.m.) The ‘ Evening Standard’s ’ Berlin correspondent says;— “ The revolt of the German-speaking people in the South Tyrol is spreading with increasing intensity. It is learned on unimpeachable authority that two internment camps for deserters have been established in the Bavarian Alps. The German Government is anxious to avoid irritating Italy, and declines to allow visitors. Some of the deserters have found work in German cities. The remainder are supported by South Tyrolean relief organisations. Similar camps exist in Switzerland and Yugoslavia. In the latter country they are especially numerous. The Yugoslavian Government, like the German Ministry, is withholding information, but it is believed that the camps are so crowded the deserters are lodged with peasants.” AH EARLY ENDING FRENCH AND BRITISH DESIRE PARIS, January 9. (Received January 10, at 11.30 a.m.) Mile Genevieve Tabouis. r a singularly well-informed diplomatic correspondent, asserting that England and I ranee realise the inconvenience attached to oil sanctions, says that growing anxiety caused by German armaments makes Great Britain and France desire that the Italo-Ahyssinian war be finished as quickly as possible. They will encourage the League Commitee of Thirteen to find a new basis for peace. Mile Tabouis also states that Paris and London are convinced that Signor Mussolini now regrets that he did not accept the Laval-Hoare plan and tripartite proposal of August 3. 11 Duce made a mistake in thinking he could momentarily win over the Ethiopian chiefs and conquer the country in a few weeks, MUSSOLINI REVILED MUTINY GF TYROLESE SOLDIERS LONDON, January 9. The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s Innsbruckcorrespondent says: “ Reliable information from Mcrano, South Tyrol, indicates that mutinous scenes attended the departure for Abyssinia of 500 soldiers of the sth Alpine Regiment. They noisily refused to leave home, and tore down, smashed and bayoneted pictures of Signor Mussolini on the bailack walls. “ The officers called on those willing to go to the front, and only 18 responded. The remainder threatened violence when they were told they would be entrained under escort. Officers fatally shot two with revolvers and severely wounded another, “ One man threw down his equipment on the station platform, reviled Signor Mussolini, and cursed the war, since the outbreak of which 1,650 recruits are reported to have escaped across the frontiers in order to avoid service. MANY OFFICERS INJURED GERMAN ACCOUNT OF MUTINY. MUNICH, January 9. An official German news agency states that the Merano mutiny occurred on December 26, and adds that in the ensuing fight many officers were seriously injured. POLICY OF TERRORISM ITALIAN' ATROCITIES ALLEGED. GENEVA, January 9. Abyssinia’s request for a League inquiry into Italian atrocities declares that the Italians are pursuing a definite policy of terrorism, and alleges that poison gas is being used against Abyssinian troops on the northern front. Abyssinia asks the Council to take immediate and energetic measures to end Italy’s repeated violations of the laws of war and international conventions.

RAINS IN ABYSSINIA WAR OPERATIONS HELD UP. ADDIS ABABA, January 9. (Received January 10, at 11 a.m.) Continuance of the rains precludes aerial action, owing to low clouds and poor visibility. Other operations are also held up. RAIN UNUSUALLY EARLY BADOGLIO’S PREPARATIONS DISTURBED. ADDIS ABABA, January 9. (Received January 10, at 12.35 p.m.) The “ little rains,” which arc of un--certain date of appearance and duration and may come at any time between Christmas and April, arrived 'Unusually early', producing torrential downpours, bringing military operations to a standstill and affecting communications. It is believed the rain will considerably disturb Marshal Badoglio’s preparations for his next move. ATTEMPT AT PENETRATION . HIDDEN ARTILLERY FOILS ABYSSINIANS. ASMARA, January 9. (Received January 10, at 12.25 p.m.) The Italians report that a carefully hidden artillery south of Makale foiled an Abyssinian attempt to penetrate the Italian lines at the key position, Seelkot, by an advance along the valley of the Jahat River, the field artillery, with medium guns, pouring in a rain of shells. Pieces of jagged rock split by the bombardment caused widespread casualties. Air raids are assisting in driving back the advance. They also bombed a column advancing on the Maitimchet Ford. " TRUE SONS OF THE LION ” ATTACK ON ITALIAN COLUMN. ADDIS ABABA, January 9. (Received January 10, at 12.25 p.m.) The Abyssinian version of fighting at North Dolo claims that they surprised an Italian column, capturing six tanks, six machine guns, and a portable wireless station, and killed an Italian officer and 30 Askaris. Eiturari Tafferi, the Abyssinian commander, says tho troops “ showed themselves true sons of the Lion of Judah/’ ANTI-ITALIAN REPORTS CATEGORICAL DENIALS ISSUED. LONDON. January 9. (Received January 10, at 11.30 a.m.) The Italian Government has issued a batch of contradictions to the various anti-Italian reports, including denials of the use of poison gas and the bombing of the Egyptian Red Cross at Daggahbur on Januarv 4 and the capture by the Abyssinians of Tembien. Italy also denies the mutiny at Merano, declaring that all detachments departed for the front in perfect order and amid the enthusiasm of the population. Moreover, they deny tho reports of numerous deserters escaping to adjoining States, pointing out that passes into Bavaria, Austria, and Yugoslavia are carefully guarded. Nevertheless, it is reported that a batch of 200 entered South Germany to-day, and there are now 3,000 in Bavaria. DESERTERS FROM ITALY BARRACKS IN YUGOSLAVIA.

BELGRADE, January 9 (Received January 10, at 2 p.m.)

It is understood that 2,000 deserters from Italy are accommodated in various barracks, and 120 Italian officers are interned at Bistritsa.