TO HARRY ITALIANS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 298, 3 December 1935, Page 7

TO HARRY ITALIANS

ABYSSINIANS IN NORTH Jijiga Expecting Air-Raid SOMALI TROOPS DESERTING (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received 3, 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, Dee. 2. The indications are that Marshal Badoglio will not be long permitted to carry out his reorganisation of the northern front undisturbed, as it is. reported that a constant stream of Abyssinians is advancing from Dessie to attack Marshal Badoglio’s armies. Tho “Manchester Guardian” says that a mass air attack on Jijiga is daily expected. The Italians without result showered huge bombs 70 inches long and weighing lOOlbs. on Dagabur. Many failed to explode. One Italian plane dropped 23 in a fruitless effort to kill one Abyssinian soldier.

Sir Percival Phillipps, writing from Jibuti, says that desertions of Somali troops are causing concern to the Italian High Command. Two detachments holding advanced posts last week fled panic-stricken, believing that large forces were behind small Abyssinian raiding parties. Somalis are also reported to be deserting to the Abyssinians owing to their unwillingness to endure further the hardships of the desert campaign. General Graziani has been forced extensively to alter the composition of his forces, using Europeans instead of Moslems, who, observing Ramadan, when they fast all day, are accordingly unable to’ fulfill their usual duties. 'l'hc Abyssinian Foreign Minister, according to a Geneva message, has informed the League that in order to spare the civilian population and foreigners from possible air bombardment the Emperor has decided that all troops must evacuate Haray which will be used solelv as a base for wounded from Ogaden. The official Rome figures show that casualties during November were;— Killed, four officers and three other ranks; died from illness, one officer and 40 other ranks. It is officially stated at Asmara that Colonel Gberemodin Hagos, representing Tigre in the Abyssinian Parliament, who made submission at Adowa, claim, ed as proof of the fruitfulness of tho Italian political penetration the fact that all Tigre is now reported to have submitted.

KING GIVES GOLD

(Received 3, 12.40 p.m.) ROME, Dec. 2.

King Victor Emanuel contributed to the “plebiscite of gold” spreading throughout Italy in aid of the antisanctionist campaign, sending a substantial offering of gold and silver plate. Widowed Great War mothers who lost sons are urging married women to surrender, their wedding rings, for which they are arranging ceremonies on December IS at every war memorial in Italy.