MAKALE OCCUPIED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 9 November 1935, Page 7

MAKALE OCCUPIED

RAS GOUGSA LEADS INVADERS FORTIFIED POSTS ABANDONED 500 PRISONERS LOST IN SHARP FIGHTING OPPOSITION EXPECTED TO STIFFEN SOUTHWARD BIG CONCENTRATION OF ABYSSINIANS (United Press Association —by Electric Telegraph Copyright) LONDON, Bth November. Correspondents with the Italian northern army report that the Italians entered Makale at 9 a.m. Their forces during the night occupied dominating positions, not sighting the main body of the enemy, who abandoned a line of fortified posts, preliminary to which they lost 500 prisoners in sharp fighting, in which Italian cavalry was conspicuous. A morning message from Addis Ababa suggests that the opposition will stiffen as the Italians penetrate southwards from Makale. The Ethiopians are supposed to have established themselves in the hills in Antalo and Alaji in the vicinity of which Ras Seyoum is believed to have amassed half a million troops, for whom supplies of arms and ammunition have just been landed. A Rome message says that the first to enter Makale were Ras Gougsa’s followers, who with swagger led the Italian troops, including a detachment of General Birch s Black Shirts, through the streets and took possession of the castle Negus John. The population gave them an enthusiastic welcome. Simultaneously General Santini’s Black Shirts captured Dolo, ten miles east of Makale. * ITALIANS ADVANCE 65 MILES IN 37 DAYS The position now is that the Italians in 37 days have advanced 65 miles from the frontier. The capture of Makale brings the Italians within striking distance of the only main highway connecting . Addis Ababa with Tigre. Ironically enough it was built by the Emperor’s orders and may now facilitate the Italians mechanised advance. A brigade of infantry from a Bersaglieri regiment and a detachment of Ras Gougsa’s native traitors, entered the town unopposedly and hoisted the tricolour. The Imperial Palace at Makale was the capital of Ras .Gougsa’s former domain. 1 DIVIDING THE HONOURS OF WAR ROME, 7th November. While General Biroli’s Askaris are carrying out the most direct thrust on, Makale, the Italians do not wish the honour of the occupation to fall exclusively on the natives. Accordingly they have arranged •for a column of regular Black Shirts, who are advancing towards Quika, ,to swing westwards and participate in the entry 1 into Makale and hoist the tricolour' on the church at Enda Jesus, which the Italians under Colonel Galliani in 1895 transformed into a fort with the aid of gravestones from the churchyard. Colonel Galliani held out for a month and marched out with honours of war; but was killed at Adowa. „ ONE OF BITTEREST COMBATS OF CAMPAIGN A Rome message says that Askaris fought one of the bitterest combats of the 'war when they attacked Mount Gundi, meeting fire from well-situated and cleverly hidden, machine guns. After two ■ houts the situation became critical and an Italian officer, leading a "renewed advance, was wounded, whereupon the infuriated Askaris swarmed up the hillside and bayonetted the defenders.

ON OGADEN FRONT COUNTER-OFFENSIVE IN PROGRESS LONDON, 7th November. A despatch from Harrar point out that the Abyssinians are preparing a counter-offensive on the Ogaden front, despite the General Staff’s assertion of a waiting policy. Troops on the move hereabouts include 40,000 wild Fanno hunters and 1000 famous creeping Gofas. ITALY’S INDEBTEDNESS TO LEAGUE COUNTRIES .TOTAL OF £8,000,000 GENEVA, Bth November. Italy owes League countries £8.000,000 under the clearing agreements. Creditor balances so far known include Britain and France £2,000,000 each, Roumania £1,750,000, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia together £1,250,000. ’ Under the sanctions proposals the amounts, though obviously not recoverable at present, will be regarded as definite financial obligations. NO SUPPORT FROM BRAZIL Brazil informed the League that she cannot adhere to and support sanctions. GERMANATTITUDE NORMAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY MUST BE MAINTAINED LONDON, Bth November. The precise meaning of the German decision not to have “more 'than normal” trade with Italy is not very clear but is interpreted in London as meaning that while Germany will not participate in sanctions against Italy she will not despite her fundamental dislike for the League, participate in “sanctions breaking.” The German attitude is thus further defined in a semi-official commentary issued at Berlin. “Germany must decline the role ot war .profiteer as being incompatible witli her peace policy, which is directed toward avoiding everything that might lead to disturbances in international relations and extension of the present con. flict. Germany must, however, insist, on maintaining her normal economic activity in all directions and making sure that her own commodity needs are met. Sanctions measures have already led to a lack of important commodities in international trade, causing the German Government to take measures to saloguard Germany’s internal supplies.” CASEIN SYNTHETIC WOOL CLAIM OF MANUFACTURERS ROME, 7th November. Signor Mussolini received the in-

ventor and manufacturers of casein synthetic wool.. They informed him tiiat sufficient was being produced to clothe 30,000 people a month. A large increase in output was promised soon. EGYPT’S INTERNATIONAL STATUS NO INTENTION TO CHANGE OFFICIAL INTIMATION BY BRITAIN LONDON, 7th November. It is officially announced that the British Government informed the Egyptian Minister that Britain has no intention of taking advantage of the international situation in order to change Egypt’s international status. The announcement added that Britain lias no intention of making Alexandria a naval base, and that the warships would he withdrawn when the conflict between Italy and Abyssinia is ended.