MAKALE CAMPAIGN

Grey River Argus, 5 February 1936, Page 5

MAKALE CAMPAIGN

BIG ENGAGEMENT Northern Battle LARGE FORCES ASSEMBLED LONDON, February 3. The British United Press special correspondent with the Italians at Makale says: Tents of the Abyssinians are springing up under the noses of the Italian artillery. Planes signalled the massing of Abyssinians in no man’s land near the junction of Gabat and Gheva Rivers. I counted through a telescope forty-three tents barely out of range of the Italian guns. The Abyssinians are concentrating at many other points along the Tenibien front. ADDIS ABABA, February 3. It is unofficially stated that a. big battle is progressing near Hautzein, .on the Italian lines of communication between Hauzien and Makale. There are also reports of an engagement ten miles north of Negelli, in which forty were killed, after the Abyssinians approached an Italian . encampment. thinking it was Abyssinian. ROME, February 3.

It is officially admitted that sixteen officers and 161 men were killed and fourteen officers and 143 men of thfl Blackshirt Division, were wounded in the recent battle at Tembien.

General Diamanti, Commander of the Blackshirts, declares that despite the Tembien casualties, the Division is ready and eager for future victories.

The newspaper “Lavora Fascista” urges the prompt employment of poison gas in Abyssinia, in order to intensify resistance to Sanctions.

SOUTH AFRICA AND WAR.

NEUTRALITY PROPOSAL.

GENERAL SMUTS’ VIEWS

(Received February 4, 7 p.m.) CAPETOWN, February 3-

The Union Assembly is debating the question of South African neutrality in relation to the Abyssinian Issue, following on the resolution that had been introduced In the Assembly bv Dr. D. F. Malan, favouring South African neutrality and non-participa lion in a /war which did not concern her.

A record attendance in the public galleries heard General Smuts’ speech in the debate He declared that South Africapolicy must be firs-Ey. to strengthen collaboration with friends of the British Commonwealth; secondly, similarly to collaborate with South' Africa’s own friends; and, thirdly, to stand by the League, which, he sail, would provide the greatest possible measure of safety in the present dangerous world. General Smuts admitted that there is the bare possibility •lliut South Africa’s fidelity to League obligations might result in war; but .he said that Britain’s Sanctions policy could never be a omissus belli. “The League to-diay is stronger and more effective than ever,” he said. “The Sanctions machine will ultimately prove a most potent reason for standing- by the League.” (Received February 4 at 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 4.

General Smuts said: War talk is an immense game of bluff. The answer to it is to be a strong standfast while the League is calmly performing the duties for which it exists Sanctions Question (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) GENEVA, February 3. The oil experts committee under the chairmanship of Sener Domez (Mexico) appointed two sub-committees to discuss the control of transport and the effectiveness of oil sanctions in the light of the attitude of nonLeague States. RUGBY, February 4. A committee of experts at Geneva began the task of investigation into the effectiveness of the extension of the embargo on exports to Italy, .to include oil as a sanction to be imposed by the League States. Experts are drawn from Berlin, France, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Roumania, Holland, Iraq, Iran, Norway, Sweden and Russia. Two sub-committees were appointed, and according to Press messages from Geneva, the following points will be studied: — (1) The consumption of oil in Italy, and Italian possessions at normal times and at present; (2) sources of supply to Italy in normal times and at present, and the possibilities of indirect supply through States not participating in the League action; (3) existing Italian stocks; (4) tanker and transport facilities, and (5) the possibilities for Italy of using substitutes.