THRUST ON CAPITAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22400, 22 April 1936, Page 13

THRUST ON CAPITAL

DELAY ANTICIPATED MAY TAKE A WEEK EXODUS OF FOREIGNERS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April 21, 9.25 p.m.) Times Cable LONDON, April 21 The Addis Ababa correspondent of the Times states that Abyssinian Government circles believe the Italians, even on the'most pessimistic calculation, cannot reach the capital in less than a week. No decision has been reached yel regarding the future seat of government, but unofficially it is announced that the Empress will not leave Abyssinia. There were COOO foreigners in Addis Ababa in October, but now it is estimated there are only about .3000, oi whom 1000 are British nationals, mostly Indians and Somalia, and about 3C whites. All could be sheltered in the British legation compound, which is protected by barbed wire and sandbag? and guarded by 150 Sikhs under four British officers. They are equipped with machine-guns and have ample stocks oi water and food. The French Legation is looking, after its own nationals. BRITISH NATIONALS PLANS FOR EVACUATION ABYSSINIAN BANK TO CLOSE (Received April 21. 9.25 p.m.) LONDON, April 21 According to the Addis Ababa correspondent of the News Chronicle arrangements have been completed to evacuate all British nationals by air to British Somaliland if they become endangered through the bombing or bombarding oi the capital or the use of poison gas on the retreating Abyssinian troops. The Daily Mail's Addis Ababa correspondent says the Bank of Abyssinia is to be closed on Thursday, when the staff will go to Jibouti. PROGRESS OF ITALIANS INHABITANTS IN FLIGHT BADOGLIO ENTERS DESSYE LONDON, April 2fl A message from Dessye states thai Marshal Badoglio entered that citj to-day to direct the push toward Addi: Ababa. The Eritrean Army Corp; marched 20 to 30 miles toward the capital and reached Derek Pass. General Graziani's troops are advancing in four columns in order to cut of] the Abyssinians' retreat from the south ern battlefields. The majority of th< 50,000 inhabitants of Addis Ababa ar( fleeing. The British Legation at Addis Ababa has been besieged by a horde of people of all races demanding protection. The capital is almost deserted. An endless line of every form of transport was te be seen leaving the city all night long. A steady stream of volunteers is proceeding to Dessye to try to check the Italian advance. The city is filled with the wildest rumours. No one knows the position or the strength of the Italians. Everything is in readiness to defend the British zone, three miles outside Addis Ababa. Sikhs are guarding its confines. Gas masks are available. The Abyssinians are continuing their preparations for a last stand, and even brass cannons which were used at Adowa are being pressed into service. Tho Government is in telephonic communication with Harrar and believes that lias Nasibu is preparing a strong defence.