THE BATTLE FRONTS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12751, 6 January 1936, Page 5

THE BATTLE FRONTS

ALLEGED REVOLT BEHIND

ITALIAN LINES

FURTHER. DESERTIONS BY NATIVE TROOPS

(T7.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received. Jan. 5, 3.30 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 4.

The Sun-ITerald says it is unofficially reported from Rome that Eas Gugstir has been arrested and imprisoned in Tigre allegedly for organising a revolt behind the Italian lines and that a number of Abyssinians, presumably chieftains, had been executed on a charge of assisting Ras Gugsa. Tijb authorities at Rome sub.se‘quently .stated that nothing was known of the matter.

A revolt against the continuance of the war occurred at Romagna. It is reported to have been - suppressed.

A message from Ressye says more Askari officers aix 1 soldiers have deserted to the Abyssinians.

Eleven Greek officers art* going to Abyssinia* to. man the tanks captured from the Italians. The Sun-Herald adds that Rome is obviously most concerned about the lack of progress.' ft seems that a harsher phase is rapidly approaching.

MORE AIR RAIDS

A R YSSINIA NS DISPERS E 0 (TJ.P.A. hy Elec. Tel: °<Mjyr>zlit) (Received Jan. A, 6.20 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. -!.

Six Italian aeroplanes heavily bombed Ambabircuta in the Wolkait district, without casualty. An official communique says that 10,000 bombs, including gas bombs, were dropped iii the Makale sector Jest week. The casualties were small.

ASMARA, Jan. 5

The Italians admit the loss of a plane with a crew of two in the Kafta region, but declare that this and other raids were successful and timely, as they dispersed several large concentrations of Abyssinians pieparing to attack the extreme right flank of the Italians.

INITIATIVE PASSED TO ETHIOPIANS.

PASSIVE TACTICS PROVE SUCCESSFUL.

OJ.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright.) LONDON. Jan. 3.

The Times, in a leading article, says that long before Signor Mussolini announced on December 31 his “indispensable, pauses,” it was clear that the invasion of Ab.vmssinia had been baited, and its effective resumption might not even he in prospect. “The initiative lias sussed to the Abyssinians. who effectively have exploited it,” continues the Times. “Something ominously-., significant to the may be oeeiirrmg—as the outflanking of their advanced posts at Maitimehet, compelling them to withdraw nearer to the base.”

“Apparently the Abyssinians captured Addi A'bbi and the Italians halted the enemy’s further advance. The Abyssinian tactics in imposing the longest possible passive defence on the enemy, recall the methods of Lawrence of A l abia , for which nature provides requisite space in Abyssinia. The more the Abyssinians distribute their efforts without over-eornmittng themselves at any one point, the- more l hey can effectively utilise mobility and surprise, spreading debilitating inflammation throughout the Italian system. Aircraft has enabled the invaders to check many ominous: Abyssinian leads and avoid the collapse which is ever awaiting those whose forces are strung out and whose .nerves are strung up.”

An Addis Ababa message says that Dr. Harriet Skemp, of the Sudan Interior Mission, an American, will be the 'first woman doctor at Die front. She will serve with the Abyssinian Red Cross with the permission of the Emperor. Haile Selassie.

LET THE PEOPLE CHOOSE. ROOSEVELT THROWS DOWN A CHALLENGE. vU.P.A. b> FJ«c. Tel. C-visH). (Received Jan. 5. 11 p.m.). WASHINGTON, Jan. 5

At White House to-day Mr. Roosevelt’s aides let it be known that the President generally was pleased with the domestic reaction to his message delivered to Congress, while, at the same time, studied silence n maintained to the flood, of press reaction to his biting reference to “autocratic dictators’ 1 from European capitals and Tokio.

The entire Administration appears to have taken the attitude that the President clearly stated his views on tlie world situation and; the America!: policy in regard to it embodied in the Neutrality Bill, which will be pushed through Congress.

The Government is now prepared to concentrate it a attention on the domestic issues which the nc-w sessipn of Congress and the coming political campaign have brought forward,. Tn other words, from now until November, America will be a lively political battleground and the less attention it is necessary to give to foreign affairs the more pleased politicians will be.

Despite the dark picture President Roosevelt drew of foreign war threats, the New York stock exchange witnessed lively trading to-day, with prices generally higher on the surface.

This i: somewhat confusing, as President Roosevelt attacked conservative business interests almost r.s violently as he did foreign dictators. But the answer from Republican political source; is that the President’s challenge to fight against the New Deal laws in Congress has been accepted! and a constructive alternative programme will be advanced and lie is willing to let the people choose.

WARNING TO AMERICA. (II p.A. by Elec. Tet. ■C’omswicbt) ROME, January 3.

Senator R’Avaimati, writing in La Tribuna, declares that" an -American embargo on oil, cotton and metals would be regarded as hostile towards Italy,