Italian Invaders in Sore Straits

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 9, 11 January 1936, Page 7

Italian Invaders in Sore Straits

Abyssinian Offensive Regains 4000 Square Miles of Territory

Debacle Likely if. Makale Garrison

Forced to Retreat

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

Received Friday, 11 p.m

LONDON, Jan. 10

The Ncws-Chroniclc’s Dessye correspondent says that, by recapturing the Tcmbein province, the Abyssinians have snatched back from the invaders’ hands 2500 square miles of territory, bringing the total area recaptured since the Abyssinian offensive began three weeks ago to nearly 4000 square miles.

Italian communications between Makale and Adowa are now in grave peril, and the Abyssinian leaders claim that it will only be a matter of days before Makale, the extreme point reached by the Italians in the north, is retaken. The gap through the mass of mountains to the west and north-west of Makale through which the Italians must escape if they evacuate the town, is hourly becoming narrower. Heavy rains are converting the roads and plains into a sea of mud, seriously aggravating the problem of transporting supplies to the Italian troops. There may well be an Italian debacle if the Makale garrison is forced to retreat.

Alajor-Gonerul Tempcrlcy, in the Daily Telegraph, emphasising Italy’s growing difficulties, expresses tho upiuiou that Marshal BadoglLo, w'hen he assumed command, found the army a prisoner of a decision, in which he probably had a great share, to employ overwhelming numbers and armament, which has produced an impasse. Tho Italians, with thousands to feed, are probably hanging on by their eyelids to Alakale until they have built at least two metalled roads and reinforced railways. Their gamble on dirt tracks to Alakale from Adowa caused frightful losses in the lorries. It is understood that no wheeled traffic arrived for three weeks. Camels and mules failed, necessitating the troops being fed by aeroplanes. There are similar difficulties in supplying the troops holding the flanks with small posts, precariously supported by mobile columns, where tho Abyssinians are successfully raiding. “Tho Italians in threo months have covered 70 miles and will be longer covering the next 70, and Addis Ababa is 500 miles away. The Ogaden offensive is also delayed. “Aleanwhile tho Abyssinians have demonstrated their ability in attack, and their lack of munitions is disappearing. Certainly Alussolini, when tho campaigning ends, will be confronted with most difficult decisions, as he is not likely to have achieved important results.”

January i, and the Abyssinian capture of the Tcmbicn Province.

They also deny there was a mutiny at Alerano, declaring that all detachments departed for tho front in perfect order and amid tho enthusiasm of the population. Moreover, they deny reports that numerous deserters are escaping to adjoining States, pointing out that passes into Bavaria, Austria and Yugoslavia are carefully guarded. Nevertheless, it is reported that a batch of 200 entered South Germany to-day and that there are now 3000 in Bavaria.

Italians Deported

ACTIVITIES AT MALTA.

MALTA, Jan. 9,

Six Italians have been deported owing to activities prejudicial to the interests of the safety of tho fortress.

Ambassador in Rome

RETURNING TO HIS POST.

ROME, Jan. 9.

The British Ambassador in Rome (Sir Eric Drummond), who has been in England on leave, is returning to his post in a week or ten days’ time. This afternoon he saw the Foreign Secretary (Mr Anthony Eden) at the Foreign Office. He also paid a courtesy call on the Prime Alinister.

“Little Rains” Hold Up Operations

ITALIANS HAMPERED ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 9. A continuance of the rains precludes aerial action owing to low clouds and poor visibility. Other operations arc also held up. The ‘‘little rains,” which are uncertain as to the date of their appearance and duration, and may come at any time between Christmas and April, arrived unusually early, producing torrential downpours, and bringing to a standstill military operations, and affecting communications. It is believed they will considerably disturb Marshal Badoglio’s preparations for the next move.

Yugoslavia Interns Italian

Deserters

BELGRADE, Jan. 9,

It is understood that the 2000 deserters from Italy are accommodated in various barracks. Ono hundred aud twenty Italian officers arc interned at Bistritsa,

Britian and France Anxious For End

MUSSOLINI’S MISTAKE,

PARIS, Jan. 9,

The Abyssinian version of the fighting north of Dolo early this month claims that they surprised an Italian column, capturing six tanks, six machine-guns, and a portable wireless station. They killed an Italian officer and thirty askaris. Fiturari Taffari, the Abyssinian commander, says the troops ‘‘showed themselves true sons of the Lion of Judah.”

Mademoiselle Genevieve Tabouis, the singularly well-informed diplomatic correspondent of L’Oeuvre, asserting that England and France realise the inconveniences attached to oil sanctions, says the growing anxiety caused by German armaments makes Britain and France desire that the Italo-Abys-sinian war should bo iinished as quickly as possible. They will encourage the League .Committee of Thirteen to lind a new basis for peace.

A. message from Asmara says the Italians report that carefully-hidden artillery south of Makalc foiled an Abyssinian attempt to pentetrata the Italian lines at the key position of Scelikot by an advance along the valley of the Jabat river. Field artillery and medium-guns, pouring in a rain of shells, and pieces of jagged rock split by the bombardment caused widespread casualties. Air raids, assisting in driving back the advance, also bombed a column advancing on the Maitimehct Ford.

Mile. Tabouis also states that Paris aud London arc convinced that Bignoi Mussolini now regrets that he did not accept the Laval-Hoare plan, and the tripartite proposals of August last.

II Duce made the mistake of thinking that lie could win over Ethiopian chiefs with money and conquer the country in a few weeks.

Germany Watches Anglo-French Talks MUTUAL ASSISTANCE.

Revolt in South Tyrol Spreads MANY DESERTERS IN INTERNMENT CAMPS LONDON, Jan. 9. The Evening Standard’s Berlin correspondent says that the revolt or German-speaking people in South Tyrol is spreading with increasing intensity. It is learned on unimpeachable authority that two internment camps for deserters have been established in the Bavarian Alps.

LONDON, Jau. 9,

The Berlin Correspondent of. Le Journal suggests that Germany may seek an explanation of the AngloFrench mutual assistance agreement, which she considers vitiates the Locarno Pact, aud that she may even reoccupy the Rhine demilitarised zone, thus scrapping the Locarno Pact. Tho Foreign Office Spokesman in Berlin admitted that Germany was watching the Anglo-French conversations with close interest, but disclaimed that she regarded them as a violation of Locarno or that she had any intention of occupying the Rhine.

The German Government is anxious to avoid irritating Italy and declines to allow visitors.

Some of the deserters have found work in German cities and the remainder are being supported by South Tyrolean relief organisations. Similar camps exist in Switzerland and Yugoslavia. In the latter country they arc especially numerous. The Yugoslavian Government, like the German Government, is withholding information but it is believed the camps aro so crowded that deserters are lodged with peasants.

Italy’s Plight Accumulates CANNOT ESCAPE FINANCIAL CRASH. LONDON, January 9. The Sun-Herald Agency says there is evidence that Italy’s plight accumulates dally. All European chancelleries believe her financial and economic position is so serious that Italy cannot escape a financial crash after June at the latest. Her military position is equally unsatisfactory, a substantial advance in the north being regarded as impossible before the rains set in. Utmost congestion is reported in the East African ports while the transport systems, including road making, are declared to be verging on chaotic. Fifty tanks are stranded in the north-

Batch of Denials MUTINY REFUTED IN ITALIAN STATEMENT. LONDON, Jan. 9. The'ltalian Government has issued 0 batch of contradictions of various autiltuliun reports, including denials of the use of poison gas, the bombing of the Egyptian Red Cross at Daggabur on

ern section of Abyssinia. Without approaching the front line, the Italians thus far have utilised only one-tenth of the white effectives in the front line.