PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 112, 24 April 1936, Page 5

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Push on Southern Front ALL QUIET IN NORTH (Received 24, 1.30 p.m.) ADDIS ABABA, April 23. Has Nasibu’s version of last week’s battle in the south declares that the Abyssinians for three days valiantly resisted attacks by Italian natives and drove them back 20 miles in hand-to-hand fighting. Then General Graziani sent in white troops, who forced the. Abyssiniaus to retire to their former position. The Crown Council decided to remain in the capital and to defend the three possible routes of the Italian advance, for which the Abyssinians, re-equipped, are concentrating in natural strongholds. A Rome message Says: Under the eye of General Graziani, who is watching from an aeroplane, a widespread advance is taking place over a 250-mile front. Four columns are progressing, despite the muddy terrain, an average of 181 miles a day towards the Abyssinian position from Jijiga westwards. Four columns are aiming to prevent Ras Nasibu’s 20,000 troops from reaching B<sa Baneh. Four thousand Abyssinian corpses are lying on the sodden countryside or floating in the rivers. Marshal Badoglio’s communique claims the capture of a big camel caravan on the Somaliland front transporting supplies for the Abyssinian troops. The Libyan Division continues to advance. Aircraft on the entire front efficiently bombed enemy positions. There was nothing to report on the northern front.