But Statement is Doubted

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 278, 25 November 1935, Page 7

But Statement is Doubted

NOTHING DOING ON NORTHERN FRONT United Press Association- -By Electric Telegraph.—Cop>ii£»nt. Received Sunday, 9.20 p.m. ROME, Nov. 23. It is officially claimed that the ■whole of Ogaden has submitted, hut the. statement is received with some reserve in the face of recent proofs that Dagabur and Sasa Banen are not occupied by the Italians, who, however, admittedly dominate a huge area of the province. „ , . . A communique says: Submission was made spontaneously by chiefs desiring to participate in Ital* s campaign of liberation. A later communique modifies the Ogaden claim, limiting the domination to the central and southern areas where the chiefs in the districts of Rerdalal, Makahil and Berelmisecal submitted. It adds that Abdel Krim on November 11 reorganised his tribe and surren dered a thousand rifles. HxVRBAE, Nov. 23.

The recent appearance of reconnaissance aeroplanes is in crpreted as a prelude to a visit of bombers. Therefore all troops have been ordered to strike camp and disperse. Harrar at present is teeming with natives rallying to the Emperor’s call to the colours. LONDON, Nov. 20.

Tie Daily Telegraph’s special correspondent at Addis Ababa describing a 700-mile flight over the Ogaden sector says he did not discern any large bodies of either combatants around Gorahai, confirming that tlio Italian activities were mostly confined to air bombing and tank attacks. He saw south of Dagabur portions of captured tanks the occupants of which had been beheaded. This fate is promised to other Italians captured. One chief, eulogising the Emperor, added: “We are tired of the silly bombings which are not a real man’s way of fighting. Wc want to fight the Italians hand to hand as real soldiers. ’ ’

ASMARA, Not. 23

Until Marshal Badoglio takes over from Marshal de Bono, whom he meets at Massawa on Monday, General Santim meanwhile assuming the northern command, there is no prospect^of a resumption of the Italian advance. The northern line is now the shape of a huge ladle with the handle beginning on the Sudanese border and extending south-east along the Takkaze to Addirassi, thence eastward to Addi Belassic and thereafter comes the bowl with Makale, the lowest point rising again to Dangera and thence running northwards to Azbi. The only part strongly held is on the 20mile crescent screening Makale. The right wing consists of lightly held scattered mountain posts along the Setit which Dedjazmatch Aqelu is cpnstantly harrying while Eas Seyoum worries the Tembien section. Emperor’s Aerial Tour LEAKNS ACTUAL MILITAEY SITUATION. LONDON, Nov.-22. “The Italians never achieved the advance they claim in the south,’’ declared Emperor Haile Selassio in a written statement of Ills aerial tour given to the British United Press. Actually they arc still near Walvval. Morahai and the Gcrlagubi line, occupied a month ago, and the Abyssinians are still southward of Sasabaneli, which tho liar... is falsely clam.ei they captured. The operations at Ogaden demonstrated that the Abyssin ians are capable of resisting modernised troops and even defeating them. The courage of the Ethiopians compensates for their lack of equipment and they would unquestionably have' preferred t,t throw themselves at the enemy, but understand the necessities of dominating our strategic decisions. Air bombing had not the least effect on the morale of the troops and inhabitants. The effect of bombing was very meagre, as for example hundreds were dropped at Gorahai, yet our losses were only seventeen killed or seriously wounded. The Emperor explained that the purpose of his flight was not to encourage his troops as that was unnecessary, but to learn their needs and see for himself the actual military situation;

The lull an all battle fronts is more pronounced at Ogaden, when the lat est messages report that heavy rain rendered unmade tracks impdssable. The "Mail's” special from Gargcisn says that the Emperor’s visit coincided with the elaborate plan to attempt to encircle the Italians on the out skirts of Sasabaneh, from where important Italian supplies now cannot bo delivered.

A belated Addis Ababa communique reporting a successful Abyssinian night attack between Makalc and Hauzien probably refers to tho engagement cabled on November 20th, and adds that they captured 300 Italians, 200 rifles and three machine guns.