ITALIAN BOMBERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22824, 7 March 1936, Page 13

ITALIAN BOMBERS

OUTRAGE IN ABYSSINIA RAID ON BRITISH AMBULANCE SEVEN PATIENTS KILLED i (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) ADDIS ABABA, March 5. An Italian bomber dropped at least 42 high-explosive bombs on a British ambulance encamped near Quoram. Seven patients were killed in three tents, including the operating theatre, which was destroyed.

The plane circled 10 times at a low height above the camp, which was clearly marked with a 40ft Red Cross flag. The ambulance position was notified to the International Red Cross on March 2, with the request that Italy be advised.

Dr Molly, the senior medical officer, has sent a full report of the bombing to the British Government. The news has caused intense indignation at Addis Ababa. MACHINE GUNS ALSO USED (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, March 5. In connection with the bombing of a British Red Cross unit at Quoram, reports state that Italian planes circled over the camp before dropping the bombs, and afterwards, from a low altitude, raked the site with machine gun fire. The reports add that it is believed that no Britons were among the small number of casualties reported from Rome. Information that the ambulance had moved to Quoram reached the Italian authorities only to-day. THE ITALIAN VERSIONS LONDON, March 5. According to Italian versions, the British ambulance was bombed as a reprisal, but in ignorance of its character. It is officially stated that an Italian aeroplane swooped down to inspect cases marked with a red cross, which were being unloaded from a column of 30 lorries near an Abyssinian camp in South Quoram on March 3. It was greeted with heavy anti-aircraft gunfire, but returned to its base without retaliation. It revisited the scene on the 4th, and dropped bombs, when it was again fired upon and hit. The aviator concluded that the cases contained ammunition because quantities of black smoke arose and numerous cases exploded after the bombing. The British Ambassador in Rome informed the Italian Government only to-day that the ambulance had been removed from Dessie to Quoram a week ago. Thus the time was not sufficient to notify the military authorities, who had not supposed an ambulance to be in the vicinity.

A Government spokesman said that effective air raids had been carried out in the vicinity after headquarters had been informed that an important munitions depot had been organised there. The Italians could not be held responsible for the accidental bombing of the ambulance since it was unaware of its presence. Moreover, Article VII of the Red Cross Convention declared that whenever a Red Cross unit committed an act of war it lost its Red Cross immunity. This was considered to apply to the Quoram incident. A DOCTOR'S REPORT ADDIS ABABA, March 5. (Received March 6, at 9 p.m.) Dr A. J. M. Melly reports that aeroplanes circled over the British Red Cross unit, and nine times flew over the camp, which is square instead of circular like the Abyssinian camps. One of the 50 bombs dropped struck the Red Cross ground flag, 40 feet square, in the middle of the camp, destroying the operating and sterilising tents, three ward tents, killing three Abyssinian patients and destroying motor lorries. It was evidently intentional, as the aeroplanes previously frequently flew over the unit. The nearest military encampment was two miles away.

An Abyssinian communique states that an aeroplane, after bombing Quoram and killing four children and two women peasants, flew low over the British camp after ascertaining that it contained no rifles or anti-aircraft guns. Four patients were wounded, in addition to the three killed. Three Kenya orderlies were wounded. DOCTORS MEMORANDUM LONDON, March 5. (Received March 6, at 9 p.m.) Doctors are sending a memorandum to the Italian Ambassador declaring that if the Red Cross is to be destroyed mankind will recede farther towards barbaric chaos. PREVIOUS BOMBING RAID STOCKHOLM, March 5. (Received March 6, at 9 p.m.) The Government, replying to the Italian disclaimer, refuses to admit that the bombing of the Swedish Red Cross was accidental. Corroborative information shows that many bombs fell in the middle of the camp, killing and wounding members. The weather was clear, and no other tent was within miles. Pamphlets by General Graziani were dropped stating that the raid was a reprisal for the Swedish demands for cessation of raids and an indemnity. THE NORTHERN FRONT ROME, March 5. The casualties in Abyssinia include 57 road makers, whom the Abyssinian surprised at an advanced point on the northern front. The engineer, Ccsare Rocca. with his wife, Lydia, defended the post until the ammunition was exhausted, when the party was overwhelmed. Signora Rocca was the first Italian female casualty. HEAVY RAINS FALLING LONDON, March 5. The Rome correspondent of The Times says the troops of the Second Army Corps are pursuing the Abyssiriians, and have reached the Takkaze River, despite heavy rain and fierce resistance from well-made defensive positions in the Shire Province. Heavy rains are falling at Harrar and Ogaden. LEAGUE'S PEACE PLAN ACCEPTED BY THE EMPEROR ADDIS ABABA, March 5. The Emperor has accepted the League's peace plan, noting that the negotiations will be. carried out within the framework of the League and in the spirit of the Covenant. He adds that he cannot agree to negotiate if Italy attempts to ensure no intensification of sanctions as a condition of the armistice.

LEAGUE RECEIVES REPLY GENEVA, March B. The League has received Emperor Sellassie's reply. NO TERRITORIAL CESSIONS PARIS, March 5. The Abyssinian Ambassador, Wolde Mariam, declares that Haile Sellassie, in the event of peace negotiations, will not agree to the territorial cessions the Italians expect. He adds that the Abyssinians are by no means defeated. Even if they were the Italians would be prevented by the rocky fortresses from reaching Addis Ababa. The populace is determined to keep out the invader. Hope would still be placed in the Geneva Powers if the negotiations failed.

ITALY'S REPLY AWAITED

PARIS, March 5,

Official circles are pleased with the Emperor's reply, but there is no optimism regarding the attitude of Signor Mussolini, to whom the French Ambassador made a direct appeal on behalf of M. Flandin, pointing out that, if Italy rejected the appeal, it was impossible to make a similar demarche without compromising France's political position. The Rome correspondent of the Paris Midi states that Signor Mussolini will agree to open negotiations provided he obtains military guarantees that the Abyssinians will be unable to rearm and reorganise after the recent defeats. This will probably mean a continuance _of military operations, as Italy is unwilling to risk losing the fruits of victory if parleys fail. ITALIAN PRESS APPEAL ROME, March 5. Signor Mussolini awaits the Cabinet meeting on Saturday before expressing his views. The Osgervatore Romano (organ of the Vatican), appeals to European statesmen for an immediate and just Jtalo-Abyssinian peace. It asks the Governments to secure a lasting solution, because, as the World War demonstrated, the best peace is not always obtainable from the battlefields. FRENCH QUESTION TO BRITAIN LONDON, March 6. (Received March 6, at 11.55 p.m.) The Cabinet yesterday considered the French Government's request for an assurance of immediate British support in the event of German aggression, even if Italy should repudiate the Locarno Treaty, but according to the News-Chronicle no final decisions have been taken. The political correspondent of The Times says: "Mr Eden's report to the Cabinet confirmed that Signor Mussolini indicated that the oil embargo would be met by Italy withdrawing from the League and denouncing the FrancoItalian military agreement. He adds that France asked for compensatory assurances to balance the retaliatory actions Italy has threatened to take should an oil embargo become necessary. France also warned Signor Mussolini that she will be force to support an oil embargo if he rejects the Geneva appeal." The Paris correspondent of The Times says that the British reply to the French request is regarded, as no less vital than the Italian response to the Committee of Thirteen. France contends that as Locarno can only be annulled by the League Italy's defection could not weaken British obligations under it. Moreover, France is convinced that if Britain were to construe Italian repudiation of Locarno as in any way modifying her own engagements Germany would instantly claim that she is no longer bound by the provisions, especially that relating to demilitarised Rhineland. What is undoubtedly exercising French opinion is the rapidity with which British be given against flagrant German aggression. The developmenf of the Abyssinian dispute is held to prove the League's inability to act quickly enough to produce adequate support in the first few critical days of a war. The Daily Telegraph's Geneva correspondent says: "M. Motta, the Swiss Foreign Minister, considers the present situation at Geneva alarming. He said Switzerland regarded with intense anxiety the prospect of being bounded on the north and south by powerful nonLeague States, and added that if both Italy and Germany renounced collective security, as represented by Geneva, Switzerland could scarcely continue to support the League with safety."