THE ETHIOPIAN WAR.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13165, 25 January 1936, Page 5

THE ETHIOPIAN WAR.

INTENSE FIGHTING AT TEMBIEN.

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LON DON, January 23.

A Times’ copyright message from Addis Ababa still reports the Abyssinian claim of a successful counterattack after the initial Italian attack in Tembien

A communique declares that the battle opened near Makale uu January 20. The Ethiopians, after intense hand-to-liand fighting, occupied many im]>ortant Italian positions and captured large quantities of arms, ammunition. provisions, and several guns, and killed thousands of Italians.

The communique expresses satisfaction that Ras Desta has fallen back from Negelli, which was a dangerously advanced position, rendering supply difficult. Although it is admitted that his retirement in Sidamo opens a gap permitting the Italians to clear a passage up the Canale Porya and Webbe Slnbeli rivers to Mogalo and Ginir, which the Abvssinians are now reinforcing, Ras Desta denies reverses, and says that he has retired to the mountains Jo avoid the Italian tanks.

The Times’ Rome correspondents report that Negelli has been captured, a combined attack by cavalry, whippet tanks, armoured cars and mechanised arms attacking frontally, while horsemen deployed on the flanks and brilliantly charged with the lance. General Graziani followed up the advance so quickly that he entered Negelli two hours after its capture.