ETHIOPIAN THREAT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18879, 3 December 1935, Page 8

ETHIOPIAN THREAT

BATTLE IN NORTH ADVANCE TO ATTACK AIR RAIDS EXPECTED .TWIGA AND HART?AT? SOJVIALTS LEAVE ITALIANS (Elec, Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec. :s, 1.50 p.m.) LONDON. Dec. 2. Indications that the Italian commander, General Badoglio, will not be long permitted to carry out the reorganisation of the northern front undisturbed, as it is reported that a conslant stream of Abyssinians is advancing' from Desse to the attack the Italian armies. The Manchester Guardian says that a mass air attack on Jijign is daily expected. The Italians, without result, showered huge bombs "Din. long and weighing 1001 b. on Dagabur. Many failed to explode. One Italian plane dropped ii:i bonilis in the fruitless efforl to kill one Abvssinian soldier.

Sir Jercival Phillips, writing from Djibouti, says that desertions of Somali troops are causing concern to the Italian high command. Two detachments holding advanced posts last week tied panic-stricken, believing thai largo forces were behind small Abyssinian raiding part ies. The Somalis are also reported to be deserting to the Abyssinians, owing lo their unwillingness lo endure further hardships of the desert campaign.

(ieneral Graziani has been forced extensively to alter the coin posit ion of his forces, using Europeans instead ot' Moslems, who are observing the Ramadan ceremony, when they fast ili day and accordingly are unable to 'ullil their usual duties. A report from Geneva states that he Abyssinian foreign Minister has informed the League of Nations thai in order to spare the civilian populn ion and foreigners from possible air bombardment, the Emperor has decided hat all troops should evacuate Harnir, a Inch is lo be used solely as a base 'or wounded from Ogaden.

A message front b'ome states that ••tibia! figures show the casualties dur ng November were four officers and hree other ranks killed, and one offi•er and 40 ot her ranks died of illness. An -Asmara report says thai it is iflieially stated that Colonel Gherenedin Ilagos, representing Tigre in he Abyssinian Parliament, who made in. submission at Adowa, has claimed, i.i proof of the fruitt'ulness of the [talinn political penetration, that all the Tigre is now reported to have submitted.

SANCTIONS PRESSURE OIL EMBARGO VIEW AVOIDANCE IF POSSIBLE ITALY'S (ALL FOR GOLD (Reed. Dec. 3,2 p.m.) LONDON, Dee. 2. The Sun-Herald News Service says that though there is not the slightest weakening in the Rritish attitude to oil .-auctions against Italy in conformity vvith tin: League obligations, (bo position is that if they can be avoided. Ib'itain will avoid them. A further attempt, to initiate peace overtures will lie made prior to the meeting of the League Committee of Light ecu on December 12. A message from Rome states that King Victor Kmanuel has contributed to the "plebiscite of gold'' which is spreading throughout Italy in aid of the anti■iinciionist campaign, and is sending a substantial offering of gold and silver plate. Women widowed in the Great VVar and mothers who lost sens arc urging married women to surrender thois wedding rings, for which they are arranging ceremonies on December 18 at every war memorial in Italy. The Sun-Herald Service further reports that the Italians regard the naval conference as so important that they are -ending 10 delegates, consisting of live diplomats and five naval representatives. They apparently intend to raise political issues, including the future in the Mediterranean.