NEARING MAKALE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12704, 8 November 1935, Page 5

NEARING MAKALE

Italians Consolidating ADVANCE PARTY SAID TO HAVE REACHED TOWN. ABYSSINIAN 8 ST AT £ INVAD ER SI EXPEC TE D. (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel- Copyright). LONDON, Nov. G. An Asmara message reports that the Italian first army corps captured Agtria and now occupies the adjacent .village of Endamariamdha. The second corps is consolidating the Shine mountain position, completing the occupation of Abi Addi, 20 miles to the east of Makale, preparatory to the main advance on Makale at dawn. No organised opposition Is expected to meet this second stage of Italy’s big push, despite rumors that the Abyssinians are manning pillbox defences hastily ,erected tinder the guidance of Colonel Ivornavaloff, Ras Seyoum’s Russian military adviser. The Government’s spokesman at Addis Ababa, however, declares that the northern . anny commanders arc strictly obeying Emperor Selassie’s orders to retire slowly, luring the enemy Oil. An Asmara .message states that the Italian advance in Abyssinia is being le.su:ned tn-niorroiv. •Reports from .Rome and Addis Ababa state that a small advance party of Italians reached Makale last night. Addis Ababa reports. however, claim that the Italians were expelled during the-night and 10 of the troops were killed. The Abyssinians jalso claim that they brought down two ’planes on the southern front. A Rome message reports that the sale of goats’ meat and ..horseflesh has been forbidden on Wednesdays throughout Italy.

4BYSSI NT AN VIS lON S. WARRIORS ASSERT THEY SAW TWO SAINTS. .WORE TITAN .WATCH FOR MUSSOLINI, (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel- Coo.y.'ighO. LONDON. Nov. o. The l)ailj’ Telegraph’s Addis Ababa correspondent says that Emperor Selassie will lake Father Cabreab to Desse as his personal con lessor and also the two famous Arks ol the Covenant, .one of St. George, reputedly the organiser of the victory at Adoua in 1890, and the other St. Gabriel, who gave Emperor Selassie the victory against lias Wichal, the lather of the rebel, Lij Eyassu. in 1910. The Abyssinian warriors assert that they saw St. George riding a white horse at Adowa and leading Menelik's hosts to the conquest, Thus repeating the Roman legend of Castor and Rolliix at the battle of Lake Regillus. They declare that St. George and St. Gabriel arc more than a match for Signor Mussolini. IN THE OG A DEN A RICA. The only news from the Ogaden area is a wireless report from Dcdjamatch Afework from Goraljai that only seven Abyssinians were wounded in tho Italian attack on November 2. The survivors of the capture of Takerckatama were reorganised into new units. Ihe officer .commanding in Western Ogaden recommended several chiefs for decoration for bravery. TWO ITALIAN ’PLANES BROUGHT DOWN. The report adds that the Italians stronglv attacked with tanks and ’planes. I he garrison resisted to .the last round. A Somali chieftain did ferocious execution with a sword and rifle, and ordered his followers to retreat when their ammunition was exhausted. The order was methodically executed. All four occupants of one Italian aeroplane arc reported to have been shot down and immediately killed. The crow of another ’plane which was charged with bombs were blown to pieces Upon' striking the giound. Many of the garrison were injured m the explosion. * An Italian air reconnaissance discloses intense Abyssinian activity in Shibcli village, 80 miles to the northeast of Walwal where Has Nassibu is building strong defences to impede the Italian thrust. Emperor Selassie has promoted the Mohammedan general, Omar Samater as leader of the Abyssinians after a tierce conflict at Sciilave in which he killed several Italians and sustained 10 casualties. Samater deserted from tliecltalian army in Somaliland alter killing an officer and formed his own Somali army.

HAND-TO-HAND EIGHT ING

'■ The'News' Exchange service Asmara correspondent says that the vanguard- bf‘ the Italian Askar is to the south-west of Hauzion went to the mouth of a cavern in which 200 Abyssinians■ had‘ taken refuge and demanded their surrender. The Abyssinians rushed forth and hurled themselves oil the Italians in a savage liaiid-to-liarid struggle. Two Italian officers ami two non-commis-sioned officers and two Askaris were killed. . The Abyssiniaus lost heavily- .. TROOPS MET BY STRANGE-CLAD PRIESTS. The Times Rome correspondent says that General CirolrS native troops encountered, 1 hi The Asllo valley, duo north of Makalc, 1 a femarkahle collection of Copt churches 1 o some architectiural merit. J,hcj '>n been excavated from hard rock: ‘lhe resident priests received the troops with full liturgical ceremony, carrying .crosses -and many-colored umbi ellas, but .they detracted Train the dignity ;o,f The occasion by wearing women’s garments given to them by the troops. The sight of 100 venerable black-bqarded herniits draphd in gaudy petticoats and gay bodices solemnly ..chanting psalms sent , the, sold iers in to shrieks of laughter.

RECAPTURE OF MAKALE. CRAFTY ETHIOPIANS. EVACUATE AND RETURN AT „ NIGHTFALL. ■INVADERS EJECTED AFTER FIERCE BATTLE. (U.P.A. by El.ee. Tel. .Copyright). (Received Nov. 7. 7.35 p.m.). LONDON, Nov. J. The Times Addis Ababh correspondent dealing weth' the expulsion ol the Italian advance party from Makailo says that the'native.allies reconnoitring under t lie Eritrean commander, General Gerasrivatcli Zagay*e thought all was elefir because tlie evacuating'-garrison had. not returned'by nightfall, thereby creating the impression that there had been an actual retreat, but the garrison stealthily returned, and threw out the invaders after a fierce rifle find machine guh battle. Ten Italians were Hilled and four taken prisoners. The Abyssinian casualties were two dead and two wounded.