ITALIAN OFFENSIVE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13164, 24 January 1936, Page 5

ITALIAN OFFENSIVE.

ABYSSINIA NS LOSE 15,000 AIEX. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. R ( >AIE, J anua ry 22. A triumphant communique, after announcing the opening of an Italian offensive at Tembien, records a further advance by General Graziani who, with the aid of Genoa dragoons and Aosta lancers, claims to have occupied Xegelli, the principal town of the Galla-Borani region, sixty miles west of Filtu.

He seized quantities of arms, “thus delivering from the detestable Abyssinian domination the Borani country, whose chief accepted Italian sovereignty in 1886. Local notables expressed satisfaction at the victory of the invaders, with whom they offered co-operation against Emperor Selassie.’’ The Prime Alinister, Signor Mussolini, telegraphed to General Graziani a message vibrant with pride, hut no indication has yet been given as to whether this isolated dash by cavalry, supported by whippet tanks and armoured cars, precedes permanent military occupation. Outstanding features of tlie situation are reported to be a diminution oi General Graziani’s supplies, and a further extension of his lines of communication, which now stretch 250 miles from Dolo. “AIERELY WITHDRAWN TO MOUNTAINS.” An Italian commentator expresses the opinion that the Abyssinians must have lost between 15,000 and 20,000 men in this latest operation, which would account for half Ras Desta’s forces. Ras ITesta himself reports that he has merely withdrawn with a view to launching harassing attacks from the mountains, where tanks cannot reach him. Meanwhile Ras Xasibu, enabled by Ras Desta’s threat to the Italian left flank to tree his front and advance against the invaders ov forced marches from Jigiga, has reached a point near Sasabaneh, and hopes to engage the Italian right flank.

A Rome gazette publishes, without. comment, a decree disbanding tlie infantry division constituted in November.