ITALY ANNOYED.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13085, 19 October 1935, Page 5

ITALY ANNOYED.

BRITISH PRECAUTIONS.

WAR TEXSIOX INCREASES. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, October 17. The position in Libya i s arousing increasing interest. It is understood British precautions will not be relax ed unless she receives complete assurances both by action and verballv. that the position will not he prejudiced by tlie reduction of the naval forces.

The Times’ Cairo correspondent states that the British Government.

in agreement with the Egyptian Government, has decided, in view of the establishment of a temporary base for the Alediterranoan fleet at Alexandria and the increase in the Italian forces in Libya, to provisionally strengthen the British garrison in Egypt by a brigade of infantry which will arrive shortly commanded oy Brigadier-General Priestman, who commanded the British troops in the Saar. The air force is also being increased. Meanwhile, two battalions, one British and the other Egyptian, have moved out of Mersamatruh to support the Egyptian battalion normally stationed at Solium on the frontier. The incoming battalion is to he stationed at Alexandria. The British United Press Alexandria correspondent states that the Italians are reported to he active on the frontier. They are- digging trenches and laying land mines in the neighbourhood of Jarabus oasis facing Siwa oasis.

The Times’ Rome correspondent says that the British decision not to reduce the fleet in the Mediterranean lias produced fresh irritation and is regarded as evidence that Britain is more determined to inflict a military, economic and moral defeat on Italy. It is contended Britain’s capital error whereby she violated the Covenant, was to reinforce the fleet early in September when the Leagu** had barely begun to examine the conflict between Italy and Abyssinia and the question of coercing Italy had not arisen. ADVANCE HELD UP BY RAIN. LONDON, October 17. While warlike operations are limited to Italian aerial reconnaisance on the Tigre front in the north, the advance into Ogaden is being held up by further rain. The leaders of the rival forces are occupied reviewing and addressing troops. General de Bono is also installing Ras Gougsa as Governor of Tigre in the name of. King Emanuel. Emperor Selassie’s review is reflected in the barbaric enthusiasm of nearly one hundred thousand warriors. the majority of whom are from the hinterland. They assembled en route to various fronts and marched in the dusty, open space before Parliament House at Addis Ababa, where sat the Emperor op a golden throne. Chieftains surrounded by war banners emblazoned with St. George* and the dragon, led hordes of warriors whose spears and swords glinted in tin- sun, hut the absence of modern rifles and scarcity of ammunition in cartridge belts, was especially noticeable. Whole tribes leaping and dancing in an excess of fervour, sang “We will die for you!” “We are the sons of lions Dorn for war 1” “We will shatter the invaders and cast their bodies to the vultures!” Thus they hailed the Emperor. Addressing the assembly, the Emperor reiterated the necessity for guerilla tactics, patience and the awaiting of the Italian advance. Finally he urged his followers: “Forward to war. Fight bravely.” Aleanwliile General de Bono at Adigrat. watched the march ot the Italians and Gougsa’s warriors. He took a post in the centre of the square and announced that Gougsa had been nominated chief as a recompense for his fidelity. His followers must try and win over the whole Abyssinian population of Tigre now that a descendant of King John hnrt become its head. General de Bono assured his hearers that customs and religion would he respected. The surrender oi Afcsum. was a sign that God was fighting on Italy’s side.

EMPEROR DETER All NED LONDON. October 17. The Daily Telegraph’s Addis Ababa correspondent says tlie Emperor announces that he will not discuss peace while a single Italian soldier remains “on my soil.” REPORTED "BRITISH CASUALTIES. LONDON, Octolver 17 Air Percival Phillips, cabling the Daily Alail from Djiln uti. says members of the British Camel Corps stationed on the SomalvOgaden frontier suffered casualties from Italian gas and other bomb raids, according to tribesmen’s reports to the British Commissioner at Zeila. Tlie Italian Consulate at Djibouti and tlio sjioki’sina.li at Rome deny violation of British territory and injuries to the (lamol Corps They emphasise that Italy is doing its utmost not to antagonist* British interests in Africa. ARMS FOR ABYSSINIA. PORT SAID, October 17. A British vessel carrying arms and munitions for Abyssinia lias passed the Suez Canal and another is expected sh ortly. CAPITAL NOT TO BE BOAIBED. ROME. .October 18. The Government instructed the military authorities in East Africa not to bomb from tlie air Addis Ababa or Diredawa unless they become bases for troops and war material.