FRESH SANCTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22741, 29 November 1935, Page 9

FRESH SANCTIONS

PROSPECT ANGERS ITALY LEAVE FOR TROOPS SUSPENDED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, November 28. (Received Nov. 28, at 10.30 p.m.) The Times Rome correspondent says: "It has been announced that, owing to the uncertainty introduced into the general political situation by the proposed oil embargo, the Government has ordered certain unspecified troop movements and has suspended the three months' leave for 100,000 soldiers. It is impossible at present to gauge the weight of this obviously important announcement, which is variously interpreted, some declaring that the Government apparently intends to move up troops towards the Egyptian frontier, and others that it has a wider importance and it is possible it refers to contemplated trobp movements along Italy's northern frontiers. In any case the announcement is undoubtedly a warning about how seriously the Government regards the proposed embargo, which has created the gravest anxiety and preoccupation. The Italians refuse to admit that such an embargo can rightly be construed as anything but a deliberately hostile act of a military character, justifying some form of military retaliation. They are furious at the prospect that fresh sanctions may endanger the Abyssinian campaign, bringing it to a premature and inconclusive end. Rather than await such conclusion they are saying: "Let us bring down others with us in our fall, if we must fall." It is impossible to believe that such a deliberate tct of suicide could" ever be contemplated by the Italian Government, but unquestionably this frame of mind is widespread and its existence has deeply impressed many sober foreign lookers.The Daily Telegraph's Paris correspondent says it is understood that M. Laval is urging Britain that the date of fixing the oil embargo should be indefinitely postponed. . REJOICING IN ADDIS ABABA . LONDON, November 27. (Received Nov. 28, at 11 p.m.) Addis Ababa is jubilant in consequence of a report that the Italians are withdrawing from Makale, but this is an optimistic Abyssinian interpretation of Italian movements designed to straighten the line. Rome not only denies the evacuation but minimises the extent of Ras Desta's successes in the southern sector. Cancellation by Home of the order releasing 100,000 troops from Africa for agricultural-work in Italy has been attributed to the tension arising from sanctions; but it is more likely that it has been necessitated by the growing gravity of the Abyssinian situation. Marshal dc Bono greeted Marshal

Badoglio at Massawa and had long cordial conversation with him prior to Mar■J- shal Badoglio taking over the cam- . paign on November 28. . The Emperor conferred at length-with the high command at Addis Ababa. He ".is determined to follow up the successes on both fronts. Dr Hawariat participated in the conference and subsequently stated that the Italians were now" discovering that the Abyssinians were expert in the encircling.nethod of attack, in which they were trained for centuries. He expressed certainty of holding off the Italians, who are already suffering from malaria, until the June rains, when tie invaders must relinquish all they hold. Italian Somalis, some of whom are reported to be mutinous, have been diverted against the main body of Ras Desta's troops in the neighbourhood of Webbcshebeli. . Has Desta's rearguard, pushing north near Ganalie Doria River, claim to have ambushed 700 Italians. They launched a flank attack on them and bisected the column, driving part towards Doolo and dispersing the : remainder with sayere loss, but as against this the Italians claim that their bombing planes an J native troops scattered one of Ras Desta's detachments near Doolo, killing 100 and losing four killed and five wounded. . • PESSIMISM IN ITALY PARIS, November 27. (Received Nov. 28, at 11.15 p.mO The Abyssinian and the sanctions situations " arc not being contemplated with equanimity in Daly. The news agency has received from Rome hints "f outbreaks and serious disorders. Le Temps Rome correspondent notes popular restlessness and pessimism, leading to the query whether it would not * be better simultaneously to terminate lie application of sanctions and the Abyssinian operations in order to open a discussion in a clearer atmosphere. REASON FOR BROADCAST ROME, November 28. • (Received Nov. 28, at 10.30 p.m.) Colonel Rocke, addressing members of the British colony, gave as bis reason for his recent broadcast attack or the British Government his certainty that it was being unjust to Italy. He adde.l: "More and more Britons are.beginning to see both sides of the question."