Deadly Onslaught

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 300, 20 December 1935, Page 13

Deadly Onslaught

ITALIAN LOSSES SEVEREST OF CAMPAIGN ABYSSINIANS CLAIM VICTORY ASMAR, Dec. IS. The death roll iu the Takkuzo River engagement on Dccombcr 16 is stated to be 800, including 272 Italians, which Italy admits is the severest loss in tho campaign. Three thousand Abyssinians, iu tiio first mass attack on an Italian position, launched themselves upon tho outposts of the Italiun Second Army Corps in'the Shcbcnni Valcly. A wellplanned and dctcrininedly-cxecutcd onslaught took the defenders by surprise, forcing them to retreat. A second Abyssinian column, immediately the outposts became engaged, forded the Takkaze and attacked the askaris north of tho river. The outposts retreated, lighting desperately, while the second column slew and wouuded scores of askaris, neutralising the superiority of the tanks by rushing up so close ao their sides that' the ma-chine-guns could not be trained on them. Tho Italians, rallying in force, eventually dispersed the Abyssinians by bayonet charges. They claim that they killed 500, but admit that seven white officers atid 20 men, and IS uskari’ u.c.o.’s and 197 men wero kittea. The Abyssinians reiterate their claim that they killed 000 of the invaders. The deadlincss of tho encounter was accentuated by repeated Abyssinian counter-charges. Tho Abyssinians claim a victory, despite the loss of two chiefs and three column leaders. The Abyssinian Note ’ LONDON, Dec. IS. Au Abyssinian Note, published today, will bo handed to the British and French Ambassadors at Addis Ababa

to-morrow. It' must not be regarded ns the reply to the Franco-British suggestions. This will bo sent later. Home circles refuse to forecast Italy’s reply pending the result of the meeting of the Fascist Grand Council late to-night. The Abyssinian Note challenges the League’s authorisation of anyouo to preparo proposals and forward them to tho parties to the dispute, and asks whether the Council did not reserve to itself the mediatory role. It implores the League to abide by the principles laid down in M. Herriot’s recent speech that justice is the sole foundation of peace. It believes that the League will refuse to admit the Paris suggestions, which violate tho principles of the Covenant, and points out that even the most powerful member of the League is not exempt from danger of attack if any other decision is reached. Haile Selassie will tell tiio League Ills decision only after the League has pronounced upon the Franco-British proposals.

Times’ Strong' Lead LONDON, Dec. IS. A noteworthy feature of the uproar over the peace plan has been the strong lead takon by The Times in the campaign for rejection of the plan, beginning last, Friday with the declaration. “It is already dead.”

Tho Times’ Parliamentary writer makes the surprising announcement, in tho light of M. Laval's supposed earlier skeleton-rattling to frighten Sir Samuel Hoarc, that Ministers were informed at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting that France him not yet stated her attitude towards an oil embargo. LOME, Dec. 18.

Mussolini received the news of Sir Samuel Hoare’s resignation ns ho was about to take Ihe chair at, a Fascist Grand Council meeting, which opened at 10 p.m. and adjourned at 5 a.m. So far no communique has been ! issued.