DRIVEN BACK AGAIN.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13175, 6 February 1936, Page 5

DRIVEN BACK AGAIN.

ITALIANS STRIKE OPPOSITION. RAS DESTA’S UNPOPULARITY. United Press Assn.—By Electric T elegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, February 4. It is reported from Addis Ababa that lias Bayenna’s forces encountered Italians under the ex-Minister, Count Vinci, north of Negelli during the week-end and defeated the invaders, killing 1700, including many Black Shirts, and capturing 18 tanks, 70 machine-guns, three mountain guns, and eleven lorries. Italian messages assert that a squadron of Caproni bombers frustrated an expected attack on General Graziani’s right flank by 2000 Abyssinians, of whom 200 were killed.

The Addis Ababa correspondent ot The Times says that Abyssinian aeroplanes flew over Sidamo and dropped instructions to the populace to obey lias Desta until the return of Dedjazmatch Balcha and Dedjazmatch Gabrameriam.

lias Desta, though retaining the provincial governorship, may be relieved of the military command because he is personally unpopular with the soldiers, who demand the old type of Amhara leader. The Abyssinians are being reinforced in the province of Bale, preparatory to an expected attack by General Graziani, whose mechanised column lias been nearly doubled. SECRET ITALIAN MEETING. ROME, February 4. For the first time since its enlargement in November to include representatives of most branch js ot national activity, the Supreme .National Council, of Defence met secretly under the presidency of Signor Mussolini. The meeting adjourned, but is likely to continue for several days. No communique was issued, but # it is believed that the discussion covered the organisation of the nation against the extension o sanctions and a possible consequent conflict. The Fascist Grand Council has re-assembled to consider petrol supplies. It is estimated that the oil stocks will suffice for six months. The Grand Fascist Council met at 10 p.m. and ended at 12.30 a.m. A communique says: “After heading Mussolini’s report on the political and military situation the council, firstly, reaffirmed its determination to attain its objectives in East Africa for which the present military effort had been begun , secondly, it determined the lines of Italy’s counter-actions in the event of additional sanctions being enforced .

MAKALE SCRKOCXDED.

LONDON, February 4. The Addis Ababa correspondent ot The Times says that the Abyssinian victory is reported to have resulted in Makale being completely surrounded and the Italians’ water supply in Tembien threatened. A C ALL TO ARMS. According to the Daily Express’ Romo correspondent the Supreme Council decided that if Geneva proclaims an oil embargo all ten classes •of conscripts from 1901 to 1910 numbering over a million will be called to. the colours.