DEFENDERS’ TACTICS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 43, 20 January 1936, Page 7

DEFENDERS’ TACTICS

ITALIANS LURED IN. FLANKING MOVE INTENDED. BIOTING AMONG INVADERS. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received January 20, 5.40 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 19. In the wake of the jubilant Italian claims of victory at Dolo, Sir Preciyal Phillips, cabling the Daily Telegraph from Djibouti, suggests , that lias Desta’s retreat was a tactical move designed to , lure General Graziani into country where communications can be cut. "lias Desta is reported to have withheld the main army, awaiting an opportunity lor a flanking movement, flic Abyssinian losses were due largely to massed counter-attacks in the open against lias Desta’s orders. The Italian spearhead is now in country in which it is easy to harry the communications.” ) The Evening News agrees that General Graziani has achieved little and possibly weakened Ins position, as the doubled length of the Italian line, intensifying tbe strain on communications, lias not brightened the prospects of a general advance, though it has temporarily removed the danger of an Abyssinian incursion into Italian Somaliland. The Manchester Guardian says the Italians, momentarily in the ascendant in the south, are still struggling desperately in the north, where guerilla bands are harrying tiic outposts.

The Daily Telegraph’s Addis Ahaba correspondent says that Somali deserters from the Italian Army reaching lias Desta’s headquarters report friction between the Fascist militia and the regular troops, involving rioting. The Fascists are reported to be receiving the honours and rewards, while the regulars are doing the fighting and enduring hardships. CLAIMS lii ITALIANS. ALLEGED TO BE FALSE. ROME, Jan. 18. Marshal Badpglio’s latest communique states that General Graziani’s troops are continuing their pursuit with no serious resistance. The Italian column has advanced 125 miles from its -base capturing detachments and abandoned material. The Abyssinians have lost 5000 dead. On the contrary, Addis Ababa declares the Italian claims are completely false and apparently made for the purpose of aiding their cause at the forthcoming Legue session. League information from Ogaden indicates that since the 13th tlie Abyssinians have been scattered and moved to safer ground to avoid gas attacks. Home newspapers draw attention to tlie closing of the second month of sanctions, which tliev declare finds Italy even stronger than before, proving, according to Signor Mussolini’s Popolo D’ltalia, that “Italy cannot be coerced, humiliated, or suffocated.” An Aksurn. message states that the priests of Eli Darariam, the oldest and most revered Coptic church in Abyssinia, have proclaimed the King of Italy their earthly protector and patron in lieu of the Emperor Haile Selassie. This is regarded as tantamount to excommunication of the Emperor. The fact that Italy has decided to attend the League Council meeting does not imply active participation as the opinion is still held nt Rome that the Council will not achieve anything important. Signor Mussolini, however, desires that Baron Aloisi be on the spot to supply any information required about the alleged Abyssinian 'atrocities and to rebut tlie lied Cross bombing charges. ' . Signor Suvich (lofeign Undersecretary) handed the Swedish Ambassador a formal Note rejecting the Swedish contention that bombs were aimed at the ambulances and asserting that the airmen aimed at legitimate military objectives.