THE WAR ZONE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22392, 13 April 1936, Page 9

THE WAR ZONE

FIERCE FIGHTING HEAVY CASUALTIES ITALY'S ENCIRCLING MOVE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April 12, 6.-15 p.m.) LONDON. April 11 While the members of the League are discussing negotiations for peace at Geneva, fierce fighting continues on the northern and southern fronts in Abyssinia. Reports from Addis Ababa state that the Italian forces are attempting to encircle the Abyssinians in the Fafan Valley, in the south, with the object of occupying Dagabur. Ras Nasibu is fighting desperately. There have been heavy casualties on both sides and the issue is still indecisive. A communique issued by Ras Nasibu states that the Italians are using poison gas, and that airmen raided Sasa Baneh and Dagabur, leaving a trail of gas which horribly burned numbers of the population. .

Messages from I?ome state that the bombing was carried out by 22 aeroplanes as a prelude to an offensive against Harrar. The Italians at Asmara claim that the Abyssinian Minister of War, Ras Getacho, was killed during fierce fighting on the northern front, south-west of Marava, where Azebugalla tribesmen attacked a strong force of Abyssinians and slaughtered 2000 or 3000. A communique from Marshal Badoglio states that tribesmen advancing south of Gormat ambushed the Abyssinian rearguard. An action followed in which the Abyssinians left 400 dead. The tribesmen captured an entire transport column. The 3rd Army Corps, advancing from Scoto found quantities of hidden and abandoned arms and munitions, as well as numerous uniforms which members of the Imperial Guard had discarded to assist in their escape. The Italians have reached Waldia, and Libyan cavalry, forming the advance guard of the Italian drive along the Sudanese frontier, have reached Gallabat, 70 miles west of Gondar, with which it is parallel. Count Ciano, Signor Mussolini's son-in-low, after a reconnaissance flight, reported that the road from Quorain to Dessye was completely clear for the Italian advance.* Dessye appeared to have been abandoned. White sheets and flags had been laid on many houses north of Dessye.

Replying to Signor Mussolini's expressed determination to continue the war until the Abyssinian troops are annihilated, Marshal Badoglio telegraphed to II Duce assuring him that the armies would not rest until the enemy was completely destroyed.

ITALIANS' METHODS EMPEROR'S FRESH APPEAL ALLEGED INHUMANITIES (Received April 12. 6.45 p.m.) ADDIS ABABA. April 11 The Emperor of Ethiopia, Haili Selassie, has telegraphed a further protest to the League of Nations, which he reproaches for the continual adjournments of the peace negotiations. He points out that these are still in a preliminary stage in spite of the fact that five weeks have passed since the Committee of Thirteen urgently appealed to the belligerents to open discussions. In the meanwhile, says the Emperor, additional sanctions have been suspended and the Italians are still carrying on an unpunished war of aggression which is made more horrible by daily gas bombardments and bombings. "We protest most strongly and demand measures to stop these inhumanities," says the Note. The Archbishop of Abyssinia has sent an Easter message to archbishops throughout the world protesting against the Italians bombing churches and gassing civilians.

ITALIAN CANARDS SIGNOR GAYDA'S ARTICLES STRONG BRITISH DENIALS (Received April 12, 6.45 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY, April 11 There is no surprise in London at the wildly irresponsible accusations by Signor Gayda regarding the supply of poison gas to the Abyssinians from British sources. The experience of Italian press attacks on Britain during the past year had prepared opinion for the latest and most ludicrous example. The explanation of the reported gas casualties among the Abyssinians by the suggestion that they were the result of inexpert attempts by Abyssinians to use against the Italians chemicals supplied by named subsidiaries of the British firm of Imperial Chemical Industries, read curiously in conjunction with a fact to which Mr. Eden drew attention at the meeting of the Committee of Thirteen. .

This was that the Italian Government had declared that a shipment of 259 tons of poison gas was in transit through the Suez Canal, Imperial Chemical Industries has considered it desirable, however, to state that the allegations concerning supplying poison gas to the Abyssinians are false in ail respects so far as it is concerned. It is understood that the companies named by Signor Gayda either do not exist or are not connected with Imperial Chemical Industries.'The Board of Trade also has denied the action attributed to it by Signor Gayda.