Italian Gains

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 250, 23 October 1935, Page 5

Italian Gains

Still a Long Way From Harrar All Quiet on Northern .. Front Munitions Pouring into Abyssinia United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. . Received Tuesday, 9.6 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 21. Las Seyoum having repaired the telephone wire which Las Gougsa cut sent a message to the Emperor expressing horror at Gougsa’s behaviour. The Emperor has given Las Gouga s dominions to Las Seyoum. A Lome message says that though it is claimed that Gcneial Graziani’s operations in the Ogaden area have foiled the Abyssinian plan being carried out under Las Dasta and Las Nasibu with the supervision of the Turkish General, AYchib 1 asha, they have not substantially advanced the Italian line. General Graziani on October 18, since when rain has halted operations, decided to straighten his line and used native soldiers, namely Askaris and irregular bands of Somalis under Italian officers, who stormed the fortified rocky height of Dagneici in the Sciaveli region between Berdale and Gorahai overlooking the AVebbe Shibeli river and the roughly-fortified village of Degamboko, where the Abyssinians had concentrated aims and ammunition. Ten aeroplanes dropped bombs, swooped and machinegunned the position. Five aeroplanes were ineffectively hit with rifle bullets. The Somalis advanced in skirmishing order in a rainstorm and drove out the defenders into the bush. The Italians claim flic Abyssinians lost 50 dead, and many wounded. Scores of prisoners with two cannons and two machine-guns and ammunition were taken. Ihe Italian losses were 14 natives killed and 40 natives wounded. Simultaneously the Italians stormed and fired on the village of Berdale, 60 miles from the border and 40 from the AVebbe Shibeli river, securing a fertile oasis. Italian Claims Again Exaggerated. These details show that the claims of an Italian advance to the neighbourhood of llairar are exaggerated as their line which is 400 miles long is less than a hundred miles from the actual border of Abyssinian territory at any point. Nothing New On Northern Front. An Asmara (Eritrea) message says there is nothing new on the Eritrean front except reconnaissances. It is reported that 12,000 Tigre natives, mostly peasants, have submitted to Italian rule. _ Apparently only 3000 _ of Gougsa’s followers are willing to join the invaders as fighting men. General de Bono has rewarded with money 11 Askaris who fought beside the Italians at Adowa in 1896. They had all lost their hands and feet which the Abyssinian captors cut off after the battle. Fifteen others will be rewarded later. Munitions Pouring Into Abyssinia WILL BE IRRESISTIBLE IN THREE MONTHS Received Tuesday, 9.50 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 21. The News-Chronicle’s Addis Ababa correspondent says guns and ammunition are now pouring into Ethiopia. A military authority declares that if the rate is maintained the Abyssinians will be irresistible in guerilla warfare within three months. Another Shipload of Sick Italians DIRE THREATS OF ABYSSINIAN REPRISALS Received Wednesday, 12.20 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 22. The Times’ Port Said correspondent says the hospital ship California traversed the Suez Canal to Italy with 686 sick labourers, the largest sick shipment that has yet passed through the canal. The patients are described as completely dejected and worn out. Tuberculosis is reported to be rife among the Italian labourers in Eritrea owing to exposure to low air pressure, lack of water and bad food. The Abyssinian Legation in London states that it has impartial technical evidence to substantiate the charge that Italy is using poison gas and dumdum explosive bullets. It adds: “AVe warn the Italian forces that if they continue to use such ghastly methods against a simple, unarmed people it will not be possible notwithstanding the Emperor’s order to restrain the wilder bereaved section of the Abyssinian army from retaliating with some similar savage method on Italian prisoners. AVe therefore humbly and earnestly beg the Italian Ambassador, instead of troubling to deny what is true, to kindly advise his people to fight fairly if they must fight a brave, unarmed people.”

Holland’s Embargo on Arms

Received Tuesday, 9.20 p.m. HAGUE, Oct. 22,

Clergy Submit to Italians

Holland will place an embargo tomorrow on the export of arms to Italy ancl her colonies.

ASMARA, October 2.1. The clergy of two hundred Coptic churches and fifteen mosques in the Tigre Province have collectively submitted to the Italians.