NOTE OF THE DAY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12751, 6 January 1936, Page 4

NOTE OF THE DAY

THE BOMBING OF THE SWEDISH RED CROSS

Although tlie position lias not, as yot, been quite cleared up, it is beyond question that an Italian air force made a bombing attack behind the Ethiopian lines in Ogaden, destroying a. Swedish Red Gross unit, and inflicting numerous casualties. I.!i proof were required in regard to the occurrence, nothing more is required than the fact that a representative of the Italian Government has, on its behalf, expressed regret to the Swedish Minister -in RomeWhether the attackers would, or would not, he aware that the encampment was not of a military character may be judged from the statement by the International Red Cross representative hi the locality to the effect that -the unit was surrounded with Red Cross flags and that the attackers flew very low. Tt should also be agreed 1 that, if their - intelligence department is worth its (salt, tlie Italian authorities would be cognisant of tlie locale of the unit. What makes the outrage all-the more deserving of the world-wide 'Censure which it lias evoked/ is: of course, an unofficial suggestion front >tho Italian side that the . bombing was carried out as' a reprisal- At.’ the moment, no' evidence it offered that a captured Italian- airmail” suffered tlie gruesome penalty of decapitation at the hitnds of tlie Ethiopians. Surely, if such' should 1 have been- tlie case—and it is categorically denied by 1 the .Eth - iopian authorities —tlie Italian' coniriiahd waS' not jiifefificd in. ’ ordbi'ing tlie wreaking ■' of verigieanco upon a. Red’ Cross’-unit'! What is not yet' definite is, whether the ofdbfls for tlib attack' included' ihstfuctiohs that the unit should be'included 'as am objective.’ Oii this point Italy' is, so hat, officially sileiit:-' If tlie worst requires to lie admitted, no censurei could,be too grave for such a wicked outrage.