ARMED ATTACK

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1934, Page 5

ARMED ATTACK

BY ABYSSINIAN'S

AN ITALIAN MILITARY FORCE.

(United Press Association—By Electric

Telegra ph—Oo py right.)

ROME, December 7. The Italian Government lias sent a 3iote ' to Abyssinia demanding satisfaction for an armed attack on ,an Italian outpost, the Well of Ulmil, in Somaliland. Abyssinians allegedly crossed tlie frontier, And they killed sixty Italian Somali guards and also injured four hundred more "ho held out until reinforcements' arrived.

They then routed the attackers, who fled, leaving arms, munitions, and equipment littered over a trail of ten miles.

Two Italian planes bombed the Abyssinions, whose casualties are believed to

be heavy. Th© Abyssinian 1 Government denies the responsibility, for the raid.

BRITISH COMMISSION

OPPOSED BY ITALIAN TROOPS

(Received this day at 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, December 9.

The “Star” says that reports received in London,' indicate ‘that Colonel Clifford and other British officials, members of the joint commission of the British Somaliland and Abyssinian Governments now defining grazing grounds, were present at the beginning; of the - dispute, which led to fighting on Saturday. The commission, accompanied by. an Abyssinian escort .arrived at Ualual on November 23, where they were confronted by 890 troops commanded an Italian, Captain Cimmaruta, who refused to allow the commission to cafnp 'in the neighbourhood of the wells, or to move freely in Abyssinian territory, although the commission’s work was not connected with the Italo-Abyssinian, dispute. The commission vigorously protested, .and asked Captain ''Cimnraruta. to refer the matter to Enure. Captain Cimmaruta refused, and summoned tanks and aeroplanes. Colonel Clifford attempted to smooth matters, but, failing, he returned to Berbers to report to the Government. Hatters - had become more acute, and fighting began.

The British Minister in Abyssinia, and ambassadr at Rome, reverted regarding the matter to the Abyssinian Charge d’Affaires in Rome, and lodging &i protest to Italy, alleging an unprovoked attack.

The-Italians declare the incident is exaggerated.

AN ITALIAN DENIAL

(Received this,day at 11.30 a.m.) ROME, December 8.

It .'is somi-officially. denied that Italians attacked the commission. It j s contended that such a strong force was too numerous for an escort.