ITALIANS PEN

Northern Advocate, 5 November 1935, Page 5

ITALIANS PEN

abyssinians retire BEFORE ENEMY

INVADERS SLOWLY CLOSING ON MAKALE

[United Press Association.—B y Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. (Received 1.30 p.m.)

i LONDON, November 4. •• u T BE Addis Ababa correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph MajorGeneral Temperley, states that the Italians in the North, as a result of a month’s warfare, have advanced practically unopposed 60 miles. A prolonged period will be required for consolidation when Makale is reached. The rate of advance is no reflection on staff or troops. It merely indicates intense caution, as the result of the unforgotten lesson of 1896.

. An Asmara report states that the Italian line advanced 15 miles yesterday, the Abyssinians retiring before the enemy, who resumed the movement at dawn today, midget tanks advancing ahead of the columns. Villagers, waving white flags and women shrieking a welcome, greet the troops, with large herds of cattle, carefully concealed, and brought out to be sold, to the Italians. '

After the occupation of Hauzin, G General Biroli’s askaris, whose flanks, in accordance with his systematic plan of the advance, were well protected, occupied heights to the south-west, while General Santini’s Black Shirts crowned those to the south-west. His main force is pushing along via Inglese. Must Resist Soon. This means that the Italian advance guards are well south of Hauzin dominating the highlands above Gheralta. The populace of Mender, south-east of Hauzin, welcomed the incoming Black Shirts. The Sabauda division, a portion of General Santini’s command, support the advance towards Amba Alagi, where definite resistance is prophesied. Officials in Addis Ababa admit that once 5 the Italians reach Makale, they will not be able longer to delay resistance. The usual rumours prevail regarding the impendirlg Italian offensive in the Ogaden area, but the only definite news is that the Gorahai field wireless station is still functioning, despite the discharge of 1000 bombs from Italian aeroplanes. . Thirty women and 15 children were killed in intensive Italian air bombardments 'near Gorahai, in ' south Ogaden, according to a report received in Addis ; Ababa. Pincer Movement. . The pincer movement from the north and east is gradually encircling Makale. Two columns of General Santini’s corps are now based at Dolo, in Tigre, ten miles east of Makale. The other columns will advance along caravan tracks from the north. The Abyssihiahs in the south are reinforcing Diredawa, while the Italians are bombing south of Jijiga. Both sides’ are hurriedly reinforcing their troops in Ogaden. General Graziani is strengthening his front, and moving two of his left columns northwards. Dedjamatch Nasibu, commanding .the Abyssinians below Harrar, has secured 3000 modern rifles and 100,000 rounds of ammunition. • Abyssinian Night Raids. “The Times” ' Addis Ababa -correspondent says the Abyssinian movement at Mt. Mussa Ali continues. Danakil tribesmen around the Immini marshes, in night raids, are harrying the Italians with some success.

The Addis Ababa representative of the “Daily Telegraph” says Italy is exploiting the Ogaden invasion by unifying the tribesmen, who still revere the memory of the Mad Mullah.. They are educating his four sons at Mogadiscio, Italian Somaliland, preparatory to sending them to the interior to preach Italian propaganda and depict the Mullah as a martyr, whom the British hounded to death. Somalis regard the remotest descendants of the Mullah with the greatest respect, and will readily supply them with all requisites.

1000 REFUSED TO HEAR HIM