REVOLT GROWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23850, 28 December 1940, Page 7

REVOLT GROWS

ABYSSINIAN NATIVES OPPOSING ITALIANS BECOMING BETTER ARMED LONDON, Doc. '26 Reports from several sources indicate the growth of the Abyssinian revolt against the Italians, especially in the forests and hills, where guerrilla troops spring from hiding to ambush unwary Italians. Rebel bands increasingly dominate large areas. The Times correspondent at Nairobi reports that many thousands of Abyssinians in various parts of the country are actively opposing Italian rule. They are anxious to obtain every help, which Britain is giving to the utmost. Guerrilla leaders have been crossing tin- border at the risk of their lives in order to make contact with the British authorities. They have brought to Kenya such evidence of success as Italian officers' uniforms, armaments, equipment and official documents. The Italians are afraid to move in many areas unless heavily escorted. Guerrillas on the road to the south of Addis Ababa atubushcd two companies of colonial infantry, killing 80, including four Italians, A whole battalion of Italians which was sent to punish the guerrillas was ambushed and 50 were killed. There is ample evidence that thousands of Abyssinians are rapidly becoming better armed in preparation for Italy's day of reckoning. EGYPTIAN POLICY CONFIDENCE IN GOVERNMENT CAIRO, Dec. 26 The Egyptian Chamber of Deputies, by 122 votes to 68. passed a motion of confidence in the Government's foreign policy, based on the fulfilment of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty. The Premier, Hassan Sirrv Pasha, winding up a three days' secret debate, said: "We are continuing our defence preparations, although the danger is remote after the British victory.''

ADMIRAL'S HOPES LONDON, Dec. 27 The Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet, Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, in a Christmas message to the Governor of Malta, said he hoped in 1941 to spend more time in Malta than he had this year. MONEY FOR WAR EMPIRE GENEROSITY POLICE PURCHASE AIRCRAFT (Received December 27. 7.30 p.m.) Briti.'h Wireless LONDON, Dec. 26 The latest gifts toward the war effort in various parts of the Colonial Empire include £>2oo from Jamaica as a special Christinas donation to the mobile canteen fund. The Governor of Northern Rhodesia has received £2OOO from Mr. Peter Hay, a farmer, as a loan without interest for the duration of the war and three months 1 hereafter. Two further sums have been, received from the British Red Cross Committee, and £lls from the Seychelles local war charities fund. The Minister of Aircraft Production, Lord Beaver brook, has acknowledged a gift of £7665 toward the purchase of aircraft, from the Robert Peel Spitfire Fund, subscribed for by members of IGO regular and auxiliary police forces in England, Scotland and Wales. The Spitfire to be purchased will be called the Robert Peel. The Netherlands, up to last week, had handed to the Ministry of Aircraft Production £745.000. Voluntary contributions to the Prince Bernhardt Fund, totalled £BIO,OOO.