WAR IN ABYSSINIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 1 February 1936, Page 7

WAR IN ABYSSINIA

NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN FRONTS ERITREAN ARMY CORPS CONSOLIDATING GAINS RAS DESTA IN STRONG POSITION (United PreßS Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, 31st January. Marshal Badoglio, in a communique declares that the Eritrean army corps is consolidating conquered territory in Tembien. Correspondents report that the Italians are impregnably fortfying the Makale front by installing redoubts, pill-boxes and machine gun nests and heavy mountain guns, thus making an Abyssinian advance impossible except under the heaviest fire. A copyright message from Addis Ababa to “The Times” says that the battle in Ras Kassa’s section is continuing, the Italians apparently concentrating on the recapture of Fort Shuniaberra, commanding the Adowa road, which was lost on 21st January. Ras ,Kassa reports that he is holding on without difficulty and claims to have captured from the Italians 23 guns and 125 machine guns. In the south, Ras Desta at present occupies a strong position on the only road through the mountains to Allata, barring General Graziani’s advance toward Addis Ababa. The Abyssinians are making an effort to close gaps in their line on the Jijiga and Ogaden fronts.

Dr. Alan Smith, a New Zealander, is at present serving with a Red Cross unit at Sidamo.

ITALIAN CHARGES

SUPPORTED BY DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE (Received Ist February, 10.20 a.m.) GENEVA, '3lst January. The League published Italian documentary evidence in support of charges that the Abyssinians were using dumdum bullets, including photographs showing bodies of mutilated Italians.