ABYSSINIANS CLAIM VICTORY

Northern Advocate, 9 January 1936, Page 7

ABYSSINIANS CLAIM VICTORY

ITALIANS SAID TO HAVE FLED

WHOLE OF TEMBIEN PROVINCE REGAINED

[United Press Association.-By Electric Telearaph. — Copyright.] (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, January 8. “irpHE TIMES’” ADDIS ABABA CORRESPONDENT SAYS THAT THE EMPEROR, HAILE SELASSIE, HAS ANNOUNCED THAT RAS SEYOUM’S FORCES HAVE OCCUPIED THE WHOLE OF THE TEMBIEN PROVINCE. The Italians in the last encounter, fled, leaving a tank and a lorry and burning churches as they retreated. The Italians claim to have driven 2000 of Ras Mulugeta’s regulars off the noi’thern slopes of Ambaaradam, 12 miles south of Makaie by an artillery bombardment. A Dessie message says an Italian doctor, mechanic and machine-gunner, who were attached to the tank corps and were captured at recent fighting, arrived by air with soleless shoes and tattered clothing. They declare that they wished the war had never been started. The mechanic referred to the low ebb of the Italian morale.

A message from Addis Ababa says rain continues throughout the country and is holding up war operations. Rain Delays Operations. A message from Addis Ababa says rain continues throughout the country and is holding up war operations. The Emperor, Haile Selassie, has conferred the Cross of War on the Swedish Red Cross officer, Dr. Highlander, and posthumously on his assistant, Dr. Lundstrom. Red Cross circles are anxious for the safety of Dr. Agge, who is commanding a small Swedish Red Cross detachment, which left the main unit a fortnight ago. He is believed to have gone north-east of Dolo. The Swedish airman, Baron von Rosen is making an aerial search. A Rome report says that, for the first time in nine months, the King of Italy and Signor Mussolini appeared together at a military ceremony, when the King presented two new regr* ments with standards.

Geneva reports that the League Secretary-General, M. Avenol, has received a renewed request from the Abyssinian Government for an inquiry into alleged Italian atrocities, including the use of poison gas. This follows the expression of opinion in League circles that the Committee of Thirteen, to which Abyssinia referred its previous protest, was not competent to consider it.

DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITY REVIVED

CONFERENCES IN PARIS AND ROME (Received 10 a.m.) - LONDON, January 8. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Rome correspondent says the first anniversary of the signature of the Rome Pact by Mussolini and M. Laval was marked by a series of inspired articles in the more serious newspapers, also by a revival of, diplomatic activity. The latter included Signor Mussolini’s conferences with his Paris and Brussels Ambassadors, and M. Laval’s conference with the French Ambassador to. Italy, who is in Paris. Nothing has been published regarding these meetings, but it is generally believed they are connected with M. Laval’s new attempt to find a solution of the Abyssinian question.

It is insisted that Italy still stands by the Rome pact and the policy of collaboration laid down by M. Laval and Signor Mussolini, but it is emphasised that Italy cannot collaborate for peace in Europe until she has wwi her own just peace in East Africa.

The “News Chronicle’s” Paris correspondent says M. Laval’s effort to secure a new Abyssinian peace plan before the League Council meets on January 20 to discuss the oil sanction question's twofold.

Firstly, he wishes to avoid reappearance as the author of any new plan, and, secondly, he will take no initiative without written assurances of Mussolini’s readiness to negotiate.

Also M. Laval stipulates that the Committee of Thirteen at Geneva should be used to originate any new proposals.