TIGHTENING THE NET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22723, 8 November 1935, Page 11

TIGHTENING THE NET

SANCTIONS AGAINST ITALY . / ’ _______ ' STEPS TO MAKE EMBARGO EFFECTIVE IMPORTANT GERMAN ANNOUNCEMENT SUPPORT FOR GENEVA INDICATED (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) GENEVA, November 6. , , . (Received November 8, at 0.15 a.m.) The League Secretariat has issued a communique stating that the “ Committee of Eighteen is informed that the German Government, learning that speculators are purchasing goods in Germany with a view to export to the belligerents at a large profit, proposes to issue a decree preventing such speculation.” The British United Press correspondent says the delegates regard the German cotnmunication as most important, suggesting it exceeds the official version • and indicates an intention to place an embargo not only on war materials, but also on products designated by the League as key products. The committee passed a resolution “to make the ban on key exports effective.” The Governments of member States will control the destination of prohibited exports. The States not'immediately restricting these will review the volume and direction of exports, and, in the event of an abnormal increase, take action to prevent supplies from reaching Italy or her possessions by indirect routes. .........,

ITALIAN ADVANCE RESUMED ' PARTY REACHES MAKALE 'iO ; > ASMARA* November 6. The Italian advance will be resumed to-morrow... Reports from Rome and Addis Ababa state that a small advance party of Italians reacted Makale last night. Addis Ababa reports, however, claim that .they were expelled during the : night,. and. 10 , were killed. The Abyasinians also claim that they brought- down two planes on the southern Trent,, , ADVANCE PARTY DRIVEN BACK .LONDON.., November 7. ■< {Received Nov. 8, at 0.15 a.m.) * Tlie>Times Addis Ababa correspondent, dealing with the expulsion of the Italian advance party from, Makale, says: “Native , allies reconnoitring under . the./.Eritrean Commander .. Gerasmatch .-• Zagaye thought . all was clear because the evacuating garrison had not returned - -by nightfall, .thereby creating the impression that there had been an actual retreat, ljut the garrison stealthily returned and threw out the invaders after a ■ fierce rifle and' machine gun battle. Ten Italians were killed and four taken • prisoners. The Abyssinian casualties were two dead and two wounded.” . ABYSSINIAN STRATEGY “ A ASMARA, November 6. The Italian First Army Corps capttired Agula and occupies the adjacent village of Ehdamariamdha. The Second ‘ Corps is consolidating in the Shire Mountain position, completing occupation of Aei Addi, 20 miles. east of v 'Makale,, preparatory ,to the main advance on Makale at dawn. , ,

the following articles as soon as the conditions necessary to render this extension effective have been realised:— Petroleum .’ and its derivatives, byproducts and residues; pig iron, iron and steel, including alloy steels; coal, including anthracite and lignite, coke and their, agglomerates, as well as fuels derived therefrom.” If the replies received by the committee to this proposal and the information at its disposal warrant, the Committee of Eighteen will propose to the Governments the date for bringing these measures into force. A VIGILANCE COMMITTEE (British Official Wireless) > RUGBY, November 6. Lord Stanhope {Under-secretary for Foreign Affairs) represented Britain on the Committee of Eighteen at Geneva when it received reports from several sub-committees, which it approved. The committee, also established a Vigilance Committee, composed of representatives of Britain, France,- Russia, Spain, Poland, Rumania,' Greece, Jugoslavia and Sweden, to observe the application of sanctions by the League Powers and do receive reports. One decision reached to-day exempts newspapers, books, .periodicals, maps and printed music from the general prohibition of Italian goods which the League States are to enforce after November 18. • CONVERSATIONS IN ROME ' (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, November 6. It is emphasised in London that the conversations between Signor Mussolini and Sir Eric Drummond at Rome are at quite a preliminary stage, and in view of the reciprocal wish for satisfactory progress it is likely that further talks between the Ambassador and the head of the Italian Government will take place as the opportunity occurs. ITALIAN PLANES SHOT DOWN LONDON, November, 6. (Received Nov. 7, at 5.5 p.m.) The only news from Ogaden is Dedjazmatch AfeworkV wireless report from Gorahai that only seven Abyssinians were wounded in the Italian attack on November 2. The survivors of the capture of Takerekatama have been reorganised into new units. The officer commanding western Ogaden has recommended several chiefs for decoration for bravery. The Italians strongly attacked with tanks and planes, but the garrison resisted to the last round. A Somali chieftain did ferocious execution with sword and rifle, but ordered his followers to retreat when the ammunition was exhausted, and this was methodically executed. All four occupants . of one of the Italian aeroplanes shot down were immediately killed, and the crew of another, which was charged With bombs, were blown to pieces upon striking the ground. Many of the garrison were injured in the explosion.

? No organised opposition is expected to meet this second stage of Italy’s big push,. despite rumours that the , Abyssihiahs are manning pillbox defences hastily; erected under the. guidance of Colonel Kornavaloff, Ras Seyoum’s Russian military adviser. . -The Government’s 'spokesman at Addis Ababa, however, declares that the northern army commanders are strictly obeying Emperor, Sellassie’s orders to retire, slowly, luring the enemy On. PRIESTS IN WOMEN’S GARB . LONDON, November 6. The Rome correspondent of The Times says:, “General Biroli’s native troops encountered in x the Asllo Valley, due north of Makale, a remarkable collection of Copt churches of some architectural merit. They had been excavated from the hard rock.’ Resident priests received the troops with full liturgical ceremony, carrying crosses and manycoloured umbrellas, but they somewhat detracted from the; dignity of the occasion by - wearing women’s garments, given them as a propitiatory .offering by the troops. The sight of 100 venerable black-bearded hermits, draped in gaudy petticoats and gay bodices, solemnly chanting the Psalms sent the soldiers into shrieks of laughter. EMPEROR’S CONFESSOR • *■ ■ —• — „ \ , LONDON, November fi. The Daily Telegraph’s Addis Ababa correspondent says that Emperor Sellassie will take Father Gabreab to Dessye as his personal confessor, and the two famous Arks of the Covenant, one of St. George, reputedly the organiser of the victory at Adowa in 1896, and the other, St. Gabriel, who gave Emperor Sollassic victory against Ras Michal, father of the rebel Lij Eyassu in 1916. Abyssinian warriors assert that they saw St. George riding a white horse at Adowa, leading Menelik’s hosts to conquest, thus repeating the Roman legend of Castor and Pollux at the battle of Lake Regillus. They declare that St. George and St. Gabriel are more than a match for Signor Mussolini. PROGRESS AT GENEVA ■ GO-ORDINATION OF SANCTIONS (British Official Wireless i RUGBY, November 6.

Italian air reconnaissance discloses intense Abyssinian activity in Shibeli village, 30 miles north-east of Ua] Ual, where Ras Nasibu is building strong de- 1 fences to impede the Italian thrust. Emperor Sellassie promoted the Mohammedan general, Omar Samate'r, leader of the Abyssinians, after a fierce conflict at Scillave, in which he killed several Italians. Samater deserted from the Italian army in Somaliland, after killing, an'officer, and formed his own Somali army. ••

An Asmara correspondent says the vanguard of Italian Askaris, south-west of Hauzien, went to the mouth of a cavern in which 200 Abyssinians had taken refuge, and demanded their surrender. The Abyssinians rushed forth and hurled themselves on the Italians, in a savage hand-to-hand straggle. Two Italian officers, two non-commissioned officers, and two Askaris were killed, while the Abyssinians lost heavily. AMERICA AND NEUTRALITY WASHINGTON, November 6. (Received Nov. 7, at 10.30 p.m.) What is interpreted as the Administration’s dissatisfaction with the neutrality law and a possible desire to co-operate with the League in stopping the war between Italy and Ethiopia was voiced to-night in an address drafted by Mr Cordell Hull and in his absence delivered over the radio by the Acting Secretary (Mr Phillips). The address was apparently designed to arouse public opinion to the necessities of the situation in anticipation of the next session of the Congress, which will undoubtedly he requested by President Roosevelt to draft a new law replacing the mandatory munitions embargo with broad permissive powers. In arguing for such a change Mr Hull'said; “Our foreign policy would indeed be weak if it began and ended with an announcement of a neutrality position on the outbreak of a foreign war, 1 conceive it our duty

The Economic Sub-committee engaged in the co-ordination of sanctions against Italy at Geneva yesterday adopted the text of a resolution proposed by the Canadian delegation for extending the list of commodities subject to embargo. The resolution states: “It is. expedient that the measures of embargo provided in proposal four should he-extended to

and in the interests of our country and humanity not only to remain aloof from disputes and conflicts with which we have no direct concern but also to use our influence in any appropriate way to bring about a peaceful settlement of international differences.” While repeatedly qualifying any suggestion of international co-operation, he said: “A virile policy tempered with prudent caution is necessary if we are to retain the respect of other nations and at the same time hold our position of influence for peace and international stability in the family of nations.” FREE STATE APPLIES SANCTIONS DUBLIN, November 7. (Received Nov. 8, at 0.5 a.m.) The Dail passed a Bill authorising sanctions against Italy. Mr de Valera declared that the Government had no choice but to honour its international obligations.