GHASTLY METHODS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22709, 23 October 1935, Page 9

GHASTLY METHODS

POISON GAS AND DUMDUM BULLETS i ALLEGATIONS AGAINST ITALIANS WARNING FROM ABYSSINIA THREAT OF RETALIATION (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, October 22. (Received October 23, at 1 a.m.) The Abyssinian Legation in London states it has impartial technical evidence to substantiate the charge that Italy is using poison gas and dumdum and explosive bullets. It adds: "We warn the Italian forces that, if they continue to use such ghastly methods against simple, unarmed people, it won't be possible, notwithstanding the Emperor's order, to restrain the wilder bereaved section of the Abyssinian Army from retaliating with some similar savage method on Italian prisoners. We therefore humbly and earnestly beg the Italian Ambassador, instead of troubling to deny what is true, kindly to advise his people to fight fairly if they must fight brave, unarmed people." The British United Press Rome correspondent declares: "Trustworthy Italian quarters declare that Signor Mussolini would be ready to discuss a settlement if Britain reduced the Mediterranean Fleet, the League postponed sanctions, and Italy was allowed to consolidate in the territory already conquered." .'".,' According to the Daily Telegraph's diplomatic correspondent, Signor Mussolini resolutely declined to accept any settlement on the basis of the recent Paris offer.

"FIGHT TO THE DEATH" EMPEROR'S EXHORTATION LONDON, October 21. The Addiß Ababa correspondent of The Times says 3000 smartly-uniformed, wellequipped imperial guardsmen marched out after the Emperor had embraced 40 officers. He shook hands with the Belgian instructors and exhorted his men to fight to the death. Seven thousand new drafts accompanied the guards, including 1000 cavalry and 800 muleteers carrying mountain artillery, machine guns, and "archies." All took the caravan road to Debra Markos... _. The parade ground, prior to the valedictory review, was crowded with soldiers squatting and drinking tea and coffee and bidding farewell to emotionless families. The Emperor, under a red umbrella, looked on through the gate, while the Empress watched from a shrouded limousine. Two priests watched curiously from Entoto Mariam Church. Another force will proceed to Dtssye as the van of the regular soldiers, following Ras Mulugueta, who left early in the morning. The womenfolk are following them out of town. The soldiers moved easily, using lent poles for walking sticks, with sandals hanging from their shoulders, and clinking pots and pans dangling from the mules' harness. One hundred and fifty ammunition mules left for Dessye during the week-end and others are tethered in the courtyard in readiness 'or the Emperor's projected journey north, though the Emperor personally travels in a motor car. Few Abyssinians consider that the war will really be begun until the Emperor takes the field. News of his departure is arousing tremendous enthusiasm. COPTIC CLERGY SUBMIT ASMARA, October 21. The clergy of 200 Coptic churches and 15 mosques in the Tigre province have collectively submitted to the Italians. THE OGADEN FRONT ASMARA, October 21. It is reported that the Italians on the Ogaden front captured valuable positions at Soillave and Daguerre. The Abyssinians lost heavily and fled in disorder, abandoning two guns and many machine guns and rifles. THE ITALIAN ADVANCE EXAGGERATED CLAIMS ROME, October 21. (Received Oct. 22, at 31 p.m.) Though it is claimed that General Graziani's operations in the Ogaden area foiled the Abyssinian plan which was being carried out ur.Jcr Ras Dasta and Ras Nasibu with the supervision of the Turkish general, Wehib Pasha, they have not substantially advanced the Italian line. General Graziani, on October 18, since when rain has halted operations, decided to straighten the line and used native soldiers, namely, Askaris and irregular bands of Somali's under Italian officers, who stormed the fortified rocky height of Dagnerei, in the Sciaveli region, between Berdale and Goiahai, overlooking the Webbe Shibeli River, and the roughly fortified village of Degamboko, where :he Abyssinians concentrated arms and ammunition. Ten aeroplanes dropped bombs and machinegunned the position. Five aeroplanes were ineffectively hit by rifle bullets. The Somalis advanced in skirmishing order in a rain storm and drove out the defenders into the bush. The Italians claim that the Abyssinians lost 50 dead, many wounded, scores of prisoners, two cannons, two machine guns, and ammunition. The Italian losses were 14 natives killed and 40 natives wounded. Simultaneously the Italians stormed and fired on the village of Berdale, 60 miles from the border and 40 from the Webbe Shibeli River, securing a fertile oasis. These details show that the claims of an Italian advance to the neighbourhood of Harrar were exaggerated as their line, which is 400 miles long, is less than 100 miles from the actual border of Abyssinian territory at ar.y point.

RAS SEYOUM'S REWARD LONDON, October 21. (Received Oct. 22, at 11 p.m.) Ras Seyoum, having repaired the telephone wire which Gugsa cut, sent a message to the Emperor expressi .? horror at Gugsa's behaviour. The Emperor has given Gugsa's dominions to Seyoum. THE ERITREAN FRONT ASMARA, October 21. (Received Oct. 22, at 11 p.m.) There is nothing new on the Eritrean front except reconnaissances It has been reported that 12,000 Tigre natives, mostly peasants, have submitted to Italian rule. Apparently only 3000 of .Gugsa's followers are willing to join the invaders as fighting men. General de Bono rewarded with money 11 Askaris who fought beside the Italians at Adowa in 1896. They had all lost their right hands and feet, which their Abyssinian captors cut off after the battle. Fifteen others will be rewarded later. AN IMPORTANT SPEECH (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, October 21. The important speech on the international situation by Sir Samuel Hoare in the House of Commons is eagerly awaited. Sir Samuel Hoare will be followed by the new Leader of the Labour Opposition, Major Attlee, and the Liberal Leader (Sir Herbert Samuel) in the subsequent debate, which is expected to last three days. It is anticipated that Sir Austen Cham-, berlain, Mr Winston Churchill, and Mr Amery will take part, and other Government speakers may include Mr Baldwin, Sir John Simon, Mr Neville Chamberlain, and Captain Eden. MEASURES AGAINST ITALY (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, October 21. The Co-ordination Committee and the Committee of Eighteen will meet again at Geneva immediately and decide on the date of the application of the measures | agreed upon. Meanwhile the Govern--1 ments of the participating States have been asked to inform the Secretary- ! general of the League of the measures they are taking to put the recommendations into effect. COMMON RULE OF LAW (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, October 21. Speaking at a church conference today, the Archbishop of Canterbury said: " Italy has been for generations our close and constant friend, and there is no desire deeper in the hearts of all of us than that friendship may continue. It is most important to make plain that the present dispute is not between this country and Italy, but between Italy and the League of Nations. Moreover, in passing judgment upon the acts of Italy we are only echoing the judgment of some 50 nations of the world. We are bound by the obligations of the Covenant which we have deliberately undertaken. If, unfortunately, Italy has made a breach in the observance of the Covenant, that is no reason why we should follow that example, but rather there is every reason why we should be more determined to keep our own word and encourage other nations to keep theirs. The only security for peace in the world is collective acceptance of the common rule of law among the nations. So" as to establish that rule the League of Nations was founded and exists. To protect and defend the Covenant of the League is the surest way of protecting and defending the way of settled peace." The Archbishop disclosed that he had invited the authorities of all Christian committees to send simultaneously a solemn reminder of their obligations to the members representing them at the League sessions. He added: "The Pope is unwilling at present to say more than he publicly said. We must generously recognise the peculiar difficulty in which he is placed. I hope the Anglican and other Protestant communions will soon unite in uttering the assertion of the supremacy of the Kingdom of God."