FURTHER FIGHTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22349, 21 February 1936, Page 11

FURTHER FIGHTING

NORTH ABYSSINIA LARGE-SCALE BATTLE BIG ADVANCE EXPECTED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 20, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 10 Despatches from Addis Ababa state that Has Nasibu, Governor of Harrar, leader of Abyssinia's central and eastern forces, is reported to have been engaged for several days in a large-scale battle south of Annale. This may indicate a resumption of General Graziani's drive northward. Several Italian flying columns have appeared in the vicinity of Ginir and Harrar. Leading Abyssinian officials have gono to Dessye to confer with the Emperor and arrange new plans for the northern campaign in view of the expected advance by Marshal Badoglio. Ras Seyoum and Ras Kassa, on the flank of the Italians, are receiving reinforcements.

POLISH DOCTORS SURRENDER TO ITALIANS WORK IN CAVERN HOSPITAL (Received February 20, 9.5 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 19 Two Poles, Dr. Maximillian Belau and his assistant, Dr. Thaddeus Medyusky, who remained in a cavern, revolvers in hand, on the last night of the Italian assault on Mount Aradam, surrendered immediately tho Italians captured the position. They had treated 1900 cases in the cavern hospital, including Ras Mulugeta's eldest son, Asrato, an Oxford undergraduate, who had a wounded leg. The doctors state that Ras Mulugeta, in whose service were white officers, including a mysterious Chief of Staff, named Captain Alexander, attempted to prevent desertions by branding recaptured deserters, on the foreheads, cheeks, mouths and chins, with iron in the form of a circle surrounding the Coptic cross. Some were blinded.

The Poles have been sent to Massawa, en route to Rome, where tho Polish Ambassador has already conferred with Signor Mussolini. Abyssinia is protesting against their deportation as a breach of the Red Cross regulations.

Dr. Belau received £4O a month and Dr. Medyusky £l2 10s after relinquishing his correspondentship for the Warsaw Courier because he resented the impediments placed in the way of journalists. Both doctors' salaries were three months in arrears.

Dr. Belau said he surrendered because the blacks had treated him as a servant instead of as a doctor. The two doctors asserted that measles, smallpox, typhus, dysentry and leprosy afflicted Ras Mulugeta's 80,000 troops, who did not realise the nature of the diseases, which, consequently, might spread.

INVADERS' STRATEGY

NEW ADVANCE PLANNED PREPARATORY MEASURES Times Cable LONDON, Feb. 19 Addis Ababa correspondent of the Times states that a pilot discovered a supposed attempt to tamper with thra Emperdr's private aeroplane. Reports from Makale state that the Italians are exploiting the Mount Aradam victory by deploying an army corps east and west. The Ist Army Corps has occupied slopes overlooking the Danakil Valley preparatory to advancing toward Sakota.

A message from Rome asserts that the 3rd Corps has cut off the retreat of Ras Kassa and Ras Seyoum.

MEAT FOR ITALY SOUTH AFRICAN CONTRACT CAPETOWN, Feb. 19 The Italian meat contract, which was subsidised by an export bounty of threeeighths of a penny on a maximum of 4000 tons, expired in January. A report that a new contract for 10,000 tons was being negotiated surprised the Government Control Board, which had not been consulted.