BADLY LED

Evening Star, Issue 22350, 28 May 1936, Page 11

BADLY LED

ABYSSINIAN WARRIORS MAIN REASON FOR DEFEAT Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright PERTH, May 27. Reasons for the Abyssinian defeat were outlined by Captain Arnold Wineholt, war correspondent for the 1 Courier-Mail,’ Brisbane, who passed through Fremantle on the liner Otranto, en route for Brisbane. He said the Abyssinians failed to grasp the true significance of guerrilla warfare, and hut for the Emperor’s fleeing the Italians would now have had to deal with a well-planned Abyssinian retreat to the west, which would have enabled them to hang out until the next rains. Emperor Selassie, added Captain Wineholt, was overwrought mentally and physically, and could not be blamed unduly. He had no strong patriotic adviser, only cowardly interested persons. The Abyssinian fighting men were very brave and bore their wounds with great fortitude. Leadership among high ranking northern commanders was extraordinarily stupid. They could not learn the lesson of not trying to attack the Italian positions. If they had grasped that or had been ready to learn, the position in Abyssinia would have been very different. Abyssinian warriors were subject to long-drawn-out starvation and murderous operations of native brigands, who were stirred by Italian propaganda and money, and supplied with rifles and ammunition. QUESTION OF SANCTIONS A COMPLICATED SITUATION, LONDON, May 27. The ■ ‘ Morning Post’s ’ Rome correspondent says: “The British Government’s action, in putting a warship at Emperor Selassie’s disposal for the voyage from Haifa to Gibraltar, made the worst possible impression in Italian official circles, which forsee the danger of a sanctionist rally promoted by the Emperor’s presence in England. In sucli an event an atmosphere would be created in which all chances of conciliation between Italy and England would be hopelessly lost. Italy is aware that many elements are combining to force forward questions of sanctions in readiness for the League Council meeting on June 16, and responsible Italians regret that an already complicated situation should thus further be imperilled. It is . officially insisted that Italy cannot even discuss the question of any settlement, nor will any Italian initiative be forthcoming as long as sanctions remain.” EMPEROR'S VISIT TO ENGLAND 1 (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 27. (Received May 28, at noon.) Questioned in tho House of Commons regarding the arrangements for the reception of the Emperor of Ethiopia, who is on his way to the United Kingdom, the Foreign Secretary replied that the Emperor was coming at his own request, and incognito, and no question of a ceremonial reception therefore arose.