NORTHERN FRONT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22823, 6 March 1936, Page 7

NORTHERN FRONT

FIGHTING IN ABYSSINIA THE ESTIMATED LOSSES (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) ASMARA, March 4. The Italian General Staff estimates the casualty list at Tembicn from February 15 to March 3, covering the battles of Endcrta, Amba Aradain, Amba Alagi, and Takkaze at 30,000 Abyssinians killed and wounded and 2000 Italians killed. Marshal Badoglio extols the bravery of the Italian troops in crushing Northern Abyssinian resistance to pieces, leaving the " miserable remnants" of four armies, and expresses the opinion that Emperor Sellassie will not go down in history as a great general. ITALIANS USE MUSTARD GAS LONDON, March 0. (Received March 0, at 0.30 a.m.) The Addis Ababa correspondent of The Times savs the Italians are intensively bombarding the. northern road between Kworam and Dessye with explosive incendiary bombs. A British ambulance unit at Alamata, near Kworam, has treated over 130 cases of mustard gas bombing, many involving severe burns. LEAGUE'S PEACE APPEAL (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, March 4. The League of Nation's Committee of Eighteen, which is dealing with the operation of sanctions, met this morning at Geneva and appointed two subcommittees of experts to carry on with technical studies, pending the receipt of replies to the appeal for peace addressed to Italy and Abyssinia. One of the sub-committees will meet to-morrow and on Friday, and will concern itself with the existing sanctions against Italy. The second, which will largely be composed of oil experts, will meet "on Saturday to draft a detailed plan for the application of oil sanctions. This plan will be sent to all League members if and when oil sanctions arc decided upon. The Committee of Eighteen, after appointing the sub-committees, adjourned until March 11. Mr Eden attended the meeting of the Committee of Eighteen this morning and will leave by rail this afternoon for. Paris, where he will spend the night. Ho is to proceed to London by air to-morrow. DEEP ANXIETY IN FRANCE LONDON, March 5. (Received March 5, at 10 p.m.) The Paris correspondent of The Times gays: "The result of the Committee of Thirteen's appeal to Italy and Abysinnia is awaited with deep anxiety, for it is realised that the Italian rejection of M. Flandin's initiative would leave France no alternative but to support the'British lead in favour of an oil embargo, which even the bitterest critics of the British attitude admit. Few illusions remain about the cost of the choice which Italian rejection would throw on France. Signor Mussolini has

seen to that. He is believed to have specifically warned M. Flandin that if an oil embargo is imposed Italy may first withdraw from the League; secondly, refuse further participation in Locarno; and, thirdly, denounce the Franco-Italian military agreement and re-man the Franco-Italian frontier on the former scale. M. Flandin informed Mr Eden of Signor Mussolini's intentions and drew attention to the serious position created by the Italian refusal to regard Locarno as binding. The question is whether Britain will be ready to continue her Locarno obligations. France believes she will, but reassurances on this question will doubtless be sought. France is less seriously alarmed sit the possible breakdown of Franco-Italian military agreement, because even if Signor Mussolini should reinforce the Alpine frontier it would make little or no diiference to the French dispositions, which never have been reduced. As long as Europe is peaceful no great inconvenience would therefore be caused. Nevertheless, all this shows that the price of French support for the League will not be a light one, and explains the urgency of the final appeal by the entire French press, now addressed to Signor Mussolini. In calculating the chances of a favourable Italian response French opinion finds little encouragement in Signor Mussolini's recent speeches, which revealed'nothing of a conciliatory spirit, while his announcement of the coining political conversations with Austria and Hungary carry a threatening ring in French ears. From the military viewpoint a cessation of hostilities would give the Abyssinians time to recover and reorganise." The Rome correspondent of The Times says the Committee of Thirteen's appeal will bo examined by the Cabinet on March 7. ABYSSINIANS CONFIDENT LONDON, March 4. (Received March 5, at 10 p.m.) Italy's indulgence in the hope that Emperor Sellassie may agree to peace negotiations within the framework of the League find the spirit of tiie (Jovenant must be interpreted in the light of the Emperor's latest declaration from Addis Ababa. "The war is only just starting. All strong men must go to the front." These words occur in a message from the Emperor read at a monster meeting of Moslems, which opened the first day of the Bairani festival. The Emperor added: "Abyssinians should not believe what the Italians say about victories and casualties. If they kill two Abyssinians they say they exterminated an entire division." This defiant observation may lie somewhat, but not greatly, modified by the following message from The Times Addis Ababa correspondent: "ft, is thought here that Abyssinia may agree to open negotiations for a cessation of hostili-

tics within the framework of the League, but the palace assumes this to imply Italian withdrawal from Abyssinia and discussion of peace terms on lines laid down by the Committee of Five, but it is not believed that Italy in her present frame of mind will accept terms so closely according to the spirit of the Covenant. Moreover, there is a profound suspicion that everything is being done at Geneva to postpone discussion 0 of the new sanctions under the cloud of the peace negotiations, which would obviously provide the desired delay. It is significant that Marshal Badoglio himself states that his next move depends on political considerations." The correspondent understands that Emperor Sellassie is personally prepared to go a long way towards peace, but the decision since the army was mobilised does not remain with him. The army, which must have a definite say, is not beaten. The Abyssinians are still confident of victory, and will strongly defend the difficult country between Amba Alagi and Lake Ashangi. There is little prospect of Abyssinia agreeing to proposals acceptable to Italy. COMMITTEE ADJOURNS GENEVA, March 4. (Received March 5, at 11.55 p.m.) The Committee of Eighteen held a short meeting and instructed sub-com-mittees to proceed with investigations into reinforcing existing sanctions. The committee adjourned till March 0. The feeling is growing that Italy and Abvssinia will not accept conciliation.