THE ABYSSINIAN WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22399, 21 April 1936, Page 8

THE ABYSSINIAN WAR

Will Addis Ababa fall 1 In the news published to-day is an indication that it may soon be in the hands of the Italians. Separate advances of their forces are converging on it. One is within striking distance. This force, approaching southward from the Eritrean frontier, has already taken possession of Dessye, and is reported now to have occupied Ankober, only 80 miles from the capital. The other, working up from Italian Soinaliland to the north-west, has taken Sasa Baneh after inflicting heavy losses on one of the fiercest of the Abyssinian tribes, and in exploiting this gain has pushed on to occupy Jijiga, 40 miles to the east of Harrar, which apparently must succumb. If these reports are correct, the fate of Addis Ababa is practically sealed. Both movements have been until recently over country comparatively flat, but the objectives attained are in the hills shielding Addis Ababa. Thither from Ankober is a well-defined road, enabling a rapid march of mechanised troops. The early completion of this by the army travelling south is therefore to be expected, even if the chance of using the railway westward of Awash be not preferred. From the HarrarJijiga region the railway can also be quickly reached, the distance from Harrar by road being barely 40 miles. Thus each of the converging forces is now tactically placed in relation to the line. Both of them have the aid of air-attack. As by proclamation the whole Abyssinian populace in Addis Ababa has been ordered to evacuate the city it is evidently feared that the prospect of saving it from a massed assault has vanished. And if it falls 1 In itself Addis Ababa may not be worth holding, but the psychological effect of its capture would be enormous. The war would doubtless go on, yet the plight of Abyssinia would be grave indeed.