ABYSSINIAN VICTORY.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13106, 14 November 1935, Page 5

ABYSSINIAN VICTORY.

FIGHT OVER WATERHOLE.

ITALIANS REPULSED

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, November 13.

The Times’ Addis Ababa correspondent says while confusion regarding the possession of Dagabur still exists the Government claims a victory at Anale Wells, 25 miles south therefrom.

A communique says: “A small Ethiopian force armed with rifles was entrenched amid the sparse bush on a sandy riverbed where lie five wells, the only water holes between Dagabur and Go* rohai ecept at Sasa Baneh. “Italian tanks supported by troop-carrying lorries equipped with machine-guns attacked fiercely and after a bloody struggle at close range the Abyssinians put' four tanks out of action, captured four lorries, and killed six Italian officers and many Somalis. The remainder fled.” STEA D Y PR OG B ESS. LONDON, November 12. The Times’ Rome correspondent states that the Italians in the Makale area are very active in all sectors and are especially concentrating on consolidation. Patrols are reported to have passed beyond the Doghea Pass and the D'andera River. Slaves are being released and given pa id work in roadmaking. Residents, alter swearing fidelity to Italy, do homage to Rus Gougsa, who is now permanently installed in the Governorship of Tigre. He found at Makale his mother, wife, and relatives whom the Abyss in ians had held as hostages i 'The Abyssinians on the southern front are reported to be fleeing beyond Sasa Baneh. Correspondents consider that the fall of Gorahai will enable an advance of several hundred kilometres, as roadmaking is not necessary as it is on the Makale front, and advance i.s possible by motor-lorries, protected by tanks and aeroplanes.

Asmara, reports that the Second Army Corps has penetrated deeply into the Tomb ion region, suggesting that the Abyssinians have completely evacuated tht; district. Sultan Mahomet Jahio. chieftain of the Aussa. region, has submitted with five thousand native cavalry from Mussa Ali. The defection places the province?, which is a key position between Eritrea. and Itiiliail Somaliland, in Italian hands and will be a great asset to the invaders. TALK WITH MUSSOLINI. RUGBY, November 12. Tlie British Ambassadoi in Rome, Sir Eric Drummond, was received by Signor Mussolini tti-day. It is understood that their conversation was in continuation of the discussions which have taken place recently with a view to an improvement in feeling arising from the situation in the Mediterranean. The Italian Note concerning sanctions is under consideration. FRENCH NAVAL ESTIMATES. PARIS. November 13. . Tlie naval estimates for 1936 show an increase c.f £7,000-000 compared with 1935. WILL FIGHT TO BITTER END. LONDON. November 12. Gradually stories from the war front art 1 being elbowed from the main pages of the newspapers, some of which are more concerned to find the true position ol the Abyssinians than with Italian achievements. The question is being asked whether Ethiopian assertions that ev* retiring is going to plan and that they are drawing the Italians into more difficult. terrain masks their anxiety in handling complex difficulties which the Italian thrusts create or ignorance of actual happenings. Invariably the news from Addis Ababa is about a. day behind that filtering from tire Italian fronts. The Emperor’s news bureau time and again lias professed to be without news concerning the fate of strategic points, the cant lire of which the Italians have already announced. The Emperor s headquarters admits that it has heard nothing from the southern front, but officials at the palace are disposed to think that Ras Nasibu’s return to Jijiga from. Dagabur may l>e a prelude to a quick general withdrawal from Ogaden. The News-Chronicle’s- Addis Ababa correspondent, seeking to discover whether the Abyssinian war plans were being pursued, questioned the Emperor, first as to whether the guerilla tactics had succeeded as well a.* lie expected and whether the Abyssinians would be able to chock the Italians when they desired.

The Emperor replied : “The hour of launching a great battle has not yet struck. There lia.s been nothing so far to justify the modification of our strategy. The patriotism of the Abyssinians will enable the economising of resources in order to conduct a lengthy war. We are certain that if economic sanctions arc carried out vigorously, they will weaken Italy’s capacity and appetite for war, but, with or without sanctions, we are prepared to fight, to tht' hitter end ” In tin .second place, replying to a question as to- the possibility of a settlement-, the. Emperor answered* “We hope for an early pence, hut we will reject the infringement of our independence and liberties.” He added that over three hundred women and children wen* killed and mutilated in the first month of war ITALY’S NOTE TO EGYPT. ROME, November 13. Tlie Italian Note to Egypt on Monday was strongly couched. It states Italy regards the application ol sanctions by Egypt as unwarranted owing to Egypt not being a member of the League. It also asserts that Egypt’s action is con-

trary to the Italo-Egyptian treaty ■obligations. ENFORCING SANCTIONS. It is understood Cabinet will issue a decree to-day enforcing sanctions against Italy on the 18th. All raw materials listed by the League’s committee will he banned from Italy. These do not include cotton but it is understood Italy will not import cotton from Egypt as a counterattraction. CRISIS FEARED. CAIRO, November 13. A Ministerial crisis is feared owing to the Wafdist party withdrawing its support from the Government. C»E RMAX Y* S A TTITUDE. LONDON, November 13. The limes' Berlin correspondent says presumably in connection with an undertaking to define Germany’s attitude in respect «>1 sanctions, namely, that abnormal exports damaging the German economic* system would not be permitted, the Government lias issued a list of a hundred foodstuffs and Jaw materials including all edible fats, oils, potatoes, textiles, rubber, iron, steel and hides, the export of which is prohibited unless specially authorised. Coal and copper are not included because they were previously controlled and chc-micals are not mentioned. Apart from chemicals and coal Germany is not in a ]>osition to largely increase her exports even if she desired. The prohibition will be enforced on the 16th except for iron and steel which will he prohibited on the 25th. Thus the economic circumstances render it expedient to follow a policy not antagonising Italy and not impeding the League. SURPR ISE FOR FR AXCE. LONDON" November 13. The Times’ Paris correspondent says the Italian protest against sanctions came as an unpleasant surprise, it was generally Ixdieved M. Laval in return for his opposition to anything beyond economic* sanctions had received Mussolini's assurance that Italy was prepared to tolerate economic sanctions provided they did not endanger Italy’s existence. France now tears that drastic, counter-measures will affect; her trade. The Petit Parisien. which is often in close touch with M. Laval, urges Italy not to adopt measures which demand reprisals, otherwise there might he doubts about limiting the conflict. Meanwhile M. I«avnl is principally concerned with the Mediterranean. It is understood he* is pressing Mussolini to withdraw another division from Lybia. Tt is believed Mussolini lias proposed an A nglo-Tta’ian Mediterranean pact which tlie British authorities regard at present as too ambitious, desiring at first to clear up the Lyhia situation.