DOOMED CITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22406, 30 April 1936, Page 11

DOOMED CITY

ETHIOPIAN CAPITAL BIG ITALIAN THRUST mechanised column IMPOSING STRENGTH RELENTLESS ADVANCE By Teleersph—'Press Association—Copyright (Received April 29, 9.5 p.m.) LONDON. April 29 The Italian column in Abyssinia which is advancing on Addis Ababa along the Ankober Road is described in a message from Rome as the biggest and strongest mechanised force ever employed in warfare. The column consists of more than 2000 motor-lorries, each carrying 16 men, and a large number of arraoured cars and light tanks. It extends along more than 12 miles of roadway. This force carries sufficient supplies nnd munitions for a month. Thus it is completely independent and self-sup-porting. The second column, which left Dessye at da wo on Sunday, already has traversed half the distance to Addis Ababa without meeting with any organised resistance. This is causing no surprise, says the Daily Mail's Rome correspondent, because the Italians always have declared since the Battle of Ashangi that no force capable of barring their path existed between them and Addis Ababa, the fall of which is considered to be merely a question of days. Marshal Badoglio, in a communique, reports that the mechanised column is only 70 miles from the capital now. The communique adds that the victorious offensive has been continued in fcomaliland.. OGADEN FRONT FIERCE BATTLE RAGING REPULSE OF ITALIANS 1 (Received April 30, 1.5 a.m.) LONDON, April 29 A message from Diredawa says a battle is still raging fiercely at Sasa Baneh, Ogaden. The Abyssinians have repeatedly repulsed the Italians, who are rushing up reinforcements from all eides. RETURNING WARRIORS MORALE STILL GOOD determined attitude LONDON. April 28 A message from Addis Ababa states that although the returning Abyssinian troops provide a pitiful spectacle, their morale is surprising. They declare they are ready /to continue fighting and will never allow the enemy to remain in possession of their land. _ )( We can fight the enemy any time, ' said some of the warriors. " God looked the other way when brother ate brother end fog surrounded us day and night. This referred to the treachery of other tribes and to gas attacks. British correspondents contrast the cheery welcome which returning soldiers were given in the world war with the Abyssinian population's silent indifference toward warriors who have been engaged in ft heroic struggle against all the resources of modern war.

BRITISH INTERESTS BLUE NILE REGION PROTECTIVE AGREEMENTS British Wireless RUGBY. April 28 A member of the House of Commons this afternoon asked what steps the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, was taking to protect the rights of Egypt with regard to the headwaters of the Blue Nile recently occupied by Italian troops. Viscount Cranborne, Foreign Undersecretary, replied that the rights of Egypt as/of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan and the British Government were protected by existing agreements with Abyssinia nd Italy. DOWN IN ITALY RUNAWAY AIRMAN AEROPLANE SEIZED ROME. April 28 The runaway French airman, M. Bene Drouillet. the Emperor of Ethiopia's aerial expert, who left on an unauthorised flight from France to Abyssinia, was forced to land at the Cento aerodrome, eastern Italy. His aeroplane was seized but M. Drouillet disappeared. WAY TO PEACE CONFERENCE SUGGESTED EUROPE'S MILITARY CHIEFS LONDON. April 28 " Italy's friends all over the world deeply regret her use of poison gas in Abyssinia," says the Daily Mail. The paper suggests that as conferences of politicians have failed a conference between the military chiefs of Britain, France, Italy and Germany should be held. It had been said that a chemical peace could not bo achieved by a mere signature, but a decision involving the honour of Europe's greatest military chiefs would be in a different category. I

PAMPHLETS FROM AIR VISCOUNT CECIL'S PLAN GENEVA. April 28 Under the presidency of Viscount Cecil the International Peace Council has decided to form a "peace air force." This will be composed of volunteer owners of aeroplanes who will drop pamphlets in Europe and America and execute sky-writing advocating peace. A world congress at Genera on September 9 is proposed.