ITALIANS TAKE VILLAGE

Northern Advocate, 24 October 1935, Page 7

ITALIANS TAKE VILLAGE

REPORTED SUCCESS IN SOUTH \ NEWS FROM OTHER SECTORS [United Press Assoclation.-By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.] (Received 2 p.m.) ADDIS ABABA* October 22. A .message from the Italian headquarters at Asmara, Eritrea, states that all is quiet on the northern front, but in the south the renegade ciultan, Olal Dinle, occupied for the Italians the fortified village of Geledi, north-west of Dagnarei, on the Webbe Shibeli River. ,

One thousand defenders resisted stubbornly until they were surrounded. Twenty were killed and wounded, and the remainder escaped into the scrub. Garrison Annihilated.

. A runner from the south brings a tale of • Italians being hoist with their own petard. After mining their camp they evacuated it, hoping to entrap' an advancing Abyssinian parjty. However, a departing private tripped over the detonating appliance, and exploded all the., mines, annihilating the garrison. Subsequently the Abyssinians captured 200 bombs, two tents and 15 police whistles, which implied that there - were 15 victims of the explosion. Contradictory Story.

It was reported that Dedjazmatch Ayeleu. one of the Abyssinian commanders on the northern front, was wounded, and could not restrain the impatience of his troops, who were said to have rushed madly against strongly entrenched Italians. Hundreds of Abyssinians were said to be killed... The Emperor communicated with’Ayeleu, who denied,that he was Wounded, or that his troops had been •defeated. .

The Emperor is travelling to Dessie in order to watch his columns on the march to that place from Addis Ababa. He took his first trip in an aeroplane after requisitioning for military purposes all means of transport. The Addis Ababa correspondent of the “Times” says the Italians are reported to be retiring to Assab from Mt. Mussa Ali, where the Danakil tribesmen salted the wells. Abyssinians Want Advance. Military operations, says a message' from Asmara, are' in abeyance on all fronts. Abyssinian reports also’ indicate a general lull. Addis Ababa despatches state that' the tribesmen are becoming restive at the inactivity of the Abyssinian forces. It is generally considered that if a battle is long'delayed it will be impossible to hold ax’mies together. The Emperor’s advisers are urging him to order an advance.