Black Shirts Move On

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 45, 24 February 1936, Page 7

Black Shirts Move On

Now Forty Miles South of Makale LARGE AREA GATHERED IN United Press Association— By Electric Telesrrapli.—Copyright. j Received Sunday, 7 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 22. A message from Rome claims that a Blackshirt unit occupied Amba Alagi ridge,'"forty miles south of Makale, on two sides. The summit itself would have been occupied if nightfall had not forced the troops to suspend the advance. It is expected the Italian flag will fly from the summit some time to-day. ' mV Dangerous Salient Straightened Out United Pres 3 Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. I Received Sunday, 7 p.m. ROME, Feb. 21. It is announced that while Abyssinian smoke signals announced their unresisted advance, General Santini’s First Army Corps of twenty thousand men, comprising Sabauda Eila and Blackshirt Divisions, occupied 1180 additional square miles of territory, including Aderat, Adiadera, Buia Plain, Mounts Comolo and Gorajam, and roughly sixteen to twenty-two miles south of Makale and fifteen from Amba Alagi. This straightens out a dangerous bend in the Italian salient and improving communications.

Ammunition Convoy Destroyed W Received Sunday, 7 p.m. /'■ ROME, . Feb. 22. A message from Dolo claims that aeroplanes machine-gunned and destroyed an Abyssinian ammunition convoy of 700 camels fording the Wcbbegestro. Despite the escort 's vigorous gunfire the planes returned unharmed. Cavalry Patrol Ambushed Received Sunday, 7 p.m. ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 22. It is reported that the Italians have retired several miles in the Negelli sector owing to difficulty in supplying the mechanised units from Dolo. The Abyssinians, active at night-time, ambushed an Italian cavalry patrol ■killing 11 and wounding IS.

Explanation, of Enderta Retreat COMMUNICATIONS RETAINED LONDON, Feb. 21. A message from Dessie states that in reply to special inquiries Ras Mulugeta has explained his tactics in the Battle of Enderta, pointing out that he ordered a strategic retreat from February 12 to 14, realising that the enemy was planning a big attack. The Italian advance guards noticed his movement and attacked immediately, forcing a battle. Eas Mulugeta claims that 1500 Eritreans deserted with arms and ammunition on the night of February 10, and claims that the total of Abyssinians killed in the series of local engagements between February 12 and 17 was not more than 150. At Addis Ababa Eas Mulugeta’s communique is hailed with great relief. It is considered that Eas Mulugeta conducted a skilful retreat in the face of vastly superior numbers. News that Eas Kassa has communicated freely both with Eas Mulugeta and with Dessie is regarded as proving the falsity of Marshal Badoglio’s assertion that the Italian advance has cut off Eas Mulugeta’s communications with the Abyssinian western forces. It is now learnt that one of tho achievements of Eas Mulugeta’s retreat was the maintenance of contact with the supply train, which otherwise would have been cut off by the two Italian Army Corps converging on Antalo from the north-west and northeast round tho slopes of Amba Aradam. The Times’ Addis Ababa correspondent says that Eas Mulugeta, amplifying liis explanation, says he ordered the retreat because Amba Aradam was approachable from the east and from the west and the occupation of it would cut off his food supply. He asserts that the Abyssinian losses were 147 killed and 268 wounded, the Italian losses being far heavier.

Various Views on Maffey Report

Received Sunday, 7 p.m, LONDON, Feb. 22,

The Times’ Home correspondent says that, declaring the English newspapers’ curiosity as to how the Maffey Document reached the Giornale d’ltalia will never be satisfied, Signor Gayda contends that the report does not vindicate Britain’s disinterestedness. On the contrary, Britain, when faced with the prospect'of Italy absorbing Abyssinia, took the initiative in her own interest, regardless of the League. Consequently, the subsequent intervention on behalf of the League is not the outcomo of u straightforward policy, but is due to new mysterious domestic factors. lie adds that this fact must ■ be clearly understood by League supporters' throughout the world. He- also adds. that the report

calls for mediation by Englishmen of good faith and cannot be brushed aside by ready-made phrases. 1 The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says information reaching London suggests that Italian official circles are beginning to question the wisdom of publishing the purloined report. It is also felt that publication will irritate British opinion and lead to a stronger demand for more intensive sanctions, which Italy is making the utmost effort to lift.

Mussolini meanwhile is refusing to contemplate participation in a suggested round-table conference with Germany regarding larger European issues, including armament programmes, which France and Britain are seeking to arrange. Mussolini’s attitude is that he cannot participate in any such talks as long as sanctions are in force against Italy.

Exaggeration by Italians

BRUSSELS, Feb. 21

Colonel Ecul, military adviser to the Emperor Haile Selassie, and at present on leave in Belgium, considers that the Itaiiau reports of Abyssinian losses are vastly exaggerated. Nevertheless, tho losses are heavier than necessary owing to the impossibility of restraining the Abyssinian troops when they are actually confronting the enemy. Outburst by Senator Borah UNCLE SAM MUST BE NEUTRAL

Received Sunday, 7.15 p.m. WASHINGTON, Feb. 22. In his Washington birthday, address to-day on the 204th anniversary of the Nation’s first president, Senator Borah made a strong plea for American neutrality in the ltalo-Ethiopian war or any other foreign controversy in which the nation was not directly concerned. At the sumo time he issued a broadside attack on tho policy Britain was now following. The speech is considered of the utmost political significance as it is tho Senator’s iirst public utterance since he formally announced that he would be a candidate for prosiden/In plain language, Borah has accused Britain of being neutral when Japan broke the League covenant in Manchuria and non-neutral when Italy invaded Ethiopia. AVhere British interests were directly affected there was no longer neutrality because it was not to the interests of the British Empire to have neutrality. He conceded that Britain had the right to chango her policy but added: “I deny her right or. the right of any group of nations to brand the United States as favouring war'or as pursuing a course selfish or immoral in adopting a policy of neutrality in the Ethioxuan affair. 7