’PLANE INTERNED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 43, 20 January 1936, Page 8

’PLANE INTERNED.

ITALY ADVISED. (British Official "Wireless.) Received January 18, 11.20 a.m. RUGBY, Jan. 17. The Italian Government liars been informed that an Italian military • aeroplane and a crew of four, which made a forced landing on Wednesday 50 miles from the Abyssinian border in the Sudan, have been interned by the authorities at Port Sudan in accordance with the generally accepted rules of air warfare. Soon after hostilities commenced in East Africa without a declaration of war the Italian Government was advised that, in British colonial territories adjacent to the area of the conflict, and in the Sudan, the rules of neutrality would be applied on a tie facto basis. SUCCESS CLAIMED. BY BOTH SJDES. ITALIAN ADVANCE. Received January 18, 9.15 a.m. ROME, Jan. 17. The Italian Government is increasingly sensitive of foreign criticisms oi the slow advance and bitterly resents the talk of inactivity. Marshal Badoguo’s communique claims that the operations in the Gan-ale-Dorya sector arc completed. The enemy everywhere is in flight, Ras Desta’s troops disintegrating in a rout by the mechanised troops. Some sectors have advanced- 1 5 miles, the enemy casualties being at least four thousand. Many prisoners and large quantities of rilies and machine-guns were captured. The losses of Italian nationals were small.

London reports that Addis Ababa is equally elated by reports received ol the operations in the Tembien region, where Ras Seyoum is reported to be advancing. Prisoners repclrt friction and unrest in the Italian ranks in Eritrea and Somaliland. CONFLICTING REPORTS. ITALIANS STILL FRUSTRATED. Received January 18, 12.55 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 17. Though the Italians, whilo not disclosing their own losses claim that 4000 were killed in the GanaleDocya battle, officials at Addis Ababa assert that the total of Ras Desta’s troops engaged was only 4000 and declare that bus transport difficulties are already partly overcome. Reinforcements numbering 30,000 are on the way to his -assistance. As f*ar as is ascertainable in the face of the strict censorship, the only immediate strategic result of the battle seems to be that an appreciable corner of Kenya Colony separates the remainder of Ras Desta’s troops from Italian Somaliland. Moreover, if only 400 U were engaged the action will not appreciably clear the Italians’ road to Jijiga and Harar. The News-Chronicle’s Dessie correspondent considers that 3 despite the Italians’ claim ql victory, tlieir projected main offensive north-eastward via Si da mo, is still delayed l>y the heat, malaria and lack of iood. General Graziani asserts that his 75.000 troops now ho hi a front of 450 miles, running 40 miles west of Dolo, north-easterly through Gorahai andJSasa Ban eh to tlie, frontier of British Sum airland*

BOMBING INCIDENTS. RED CROSS ATTITUDE. PUZZLING SITUATION. Received January 18. 9.15 a.m. ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 17. The apparent failure of the International Red Cross to act in connection with the Italian bombings is deplored by members of foreign Red Cross bodies in Abyssinia, who are bewildered by a report that tlie International Red Cross lias decided not to take sales between Italy and Ethiopia. they point out that there is no question ot the Abyssiniaus attacking the Italian Red Cross. ~ Dessie reports that the Italians bombed Korem and also dropped leaflets expressing regret that they were obliged to destroy churches and promising to rebuild them in better style when they were victorious. The officer in charge of the British ambulance which was bombed. Major Burgoyne, is a brother of the late Sir Alan; Burboyiie, a wine merchant. He went to Abyssinia seeking excitement and adventure. Lady Barton, the wife of the British Minister at . "Addis Ababa, has raised funds to equip ail ambulance. ITALIAN NOTE. ALLEGED ATROCITIES. Received January 18, 10.50 a.m. GENEVA, Jan. 17. The League has received an Italian Note accusing Abyssinia of various atrocities. . ~ .. Italy will participate in the Council meeting on sanctions on January 20.