ITALIANS DRIVEN BACK.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 6 February 1936, Page 6

ITALIANS DRIVEN BACK.

HEAVY LOSSES CLAIMED.

RAS DESTA UNPOPULAR WITH SOLDIERS.

(By Telegraph-Press Assn.-Copyright) Received Wednesday, 7 p.m.

LONDON. Feb. 4

It is reported from Addis Abaoa that Has Baycnna’s forces encountered Italians under the ex-Minister, Count Vinci, north of Negelli during me week end and defeated the invaders, killing 1700, including many Blackshirts, and capturing IS tanks, 70 machine-guns, three mountain gnus, and eleven lorries.

Italian messages assert that a squadron of Caproni bombers frustrated an expected attack on General Graziam’s right flank by 2000 Abyssinians, ot whom 200 were killed.

The Addis Ababa correspondent of The Times says that Abyssinian aeroplanes flew over Sidamo and dropped instructions to the populace to obey Ras Desta until the return of Dedjazmatch Balelm and Dedjajcmatch Gabrameriam.

Ras Desta, though retaining the provincial governorship, may be relieved of the military command because he is personally unpopular with the soldiers, who demand the old typo of Amhara leader.

The Abyssinians are being reinforced in the province of Bale, preparatory to an expected attack by General Graziani, whose mechanised column has been nearly doubled.

Makale Surrounded RESULT OF VICTORY Received Wednesday, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 4. The Addis Ababa correspondent of The Times says that the Abyssinian victory is reported to have resulted in Makale being completely surrounded and the Italians’ water supply in Tembien threatened.

Secret Meeting of Council of Defence

ORGANISATION OF ITALY

Received Wednesday, 7 p.m, ROHE, Fob. 4

For the first time since its enlargement in November to include representatives of most: brandies of national activity, the Supreme National Council of Defence met secretly under tho presidency of Signor .Mussolini. The meeting adjourned, but is likely to continue for several days. No communique was issued, but it is believed that the discussion covered the organisation of the nation against the extension of sanctions and a pos sible consequent conflict.

The Fascist Lira ml Council lias reassembled to consider petrol supplies. It is estimated that the oil stocks will suffice for six months.

Italy Will Go On

GRAND COUNCIL- ’ DETERMINED

Received Wednesday, .0.50 p.m. ROME, Feb. 5

The Grand Fascist Council met at 10 p.m. and ended at 12.M0 a.m., A communique says: “After hearing Mussolini’s report on the political and military situation the council, firstly, reaffirmed its determination to attain its objectives in East Africa for which the present military effort had been begun; secondly, it determined the lines of Italy’s counter actions in the event of additional sanctions being enforced. Will Call Up Her Old Men IF OIL EMBARGO IS PROCLAIMED Received Wednesday, 9.50 p.m. LONDON, Fob. 5. According to the Daily Express’ Rome correspondent the Supreme Council decided that if Geneva proclaims an 011 embargo all ten classes of conscripts from 1901 to 1910 mimberiuc over a million will be called to the colours.