ELUSIVE EMPEROR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 304, 21 November 1935, Page 10

ELUSIVE EMPEROR

3.15 P.M. EDITION

FLIGHT IN WAR ZONE. CONFLICTING REPORTS. (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received November 21, 1.20 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 20. The Times Addis Ababa correspondent says that anxiety regarding the whereabouts of the Emperor Haile Selassie after Lis mysterious flight was somewhat allayed by a report that he_ passed over liarar, in the direction ol Diredawa. The Government deliberately issued conflicting reports of his itinerary in order to reduce the risk of Italian pursuit. The Italian estimate of 5000 dead Abyssinians as the result ol the talo bombing raid was countered by Ras Seyoum’s assertion that the casualties were ten killed and thirty wounded. It is locally suggested that the Italians mistook for corpses recumbent Abyssinians who, in accordance with orders, prostrated themselves when the ’planes appeared. > The Times military correspondent comments that the Italians have the good fortune not to be aerially opposed, which saves them from something worse Phan congestion and internal disorganisation. Asmara reports that the Italians admit a successful Abyssinian night attack on a cavalry encampment near Hauzien, oil November 18, when there were heavy losses on both sides. Captain'Rinaldi a detachment commander, was killed. ITALY AND SANCTIONS. The News-Chronicle says Italy’s most decisive counter-action is the blocking of British bank balances. The London banks are advised that all payments from lira accounts kept with their correspondents in Italy will he stopped until further notice. This means that British banks are unable to dispose of their Italian funds. Some interpret this as the first move in the possible sequestration of British assets in Italy. FIGHT TO THE DEATH. REPLY BY ABYSSINIA. Received November 21. 1.20 p.m. GENEVA, Nov. 20. The League has received the Abyssinian reply to the Italian Note. It rejects with horror the Italian methods of civilisation and repeats that the Abyssinians will fight to tho death, despite the massacre of women and children.