ETHIOPIAN PUSH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18900, 30 December 1935, Page 5

ETHIOPIAN PUSH

CLASH IN NORTH PRESSURE ON INVADERS CAPTURE IN TEMBIEN ADVANCE ON MAKALE DENIAL BY BADOGLIO , (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.; (Reed. Dec. 30, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 29. A message from Addis Ababa states that in the most northern clash since the fall of Aksum, Abyssinians maintain the pressure. They claim to have captured Abi A deli, the capital of Tembien, driving . out the Italian Askaris with heavy- loss. Official circles assert that the Italians have nearly completed withdrawal from the Shire westward of Aksum. The Abyssinians have invested Malcale on three sides..

A communique issued by the Italian commander-in-chief, General Badoglio, at Asmara, states that after their penetration of the Shire, the attempt of the Abyssinians to cross the Takazze at. Maitimchet was heavily frustrated. They retreated and scattered, but arc determined to hold Gagnh Pass as the key to Selaclaca.

The Italians telephoned to Aksum for reinforcements. Aircraft soon ended the Abyssinians’enterprise. A message from Rome states that General Badoglio has awarded the silver medal for bravery to WarrantOfficer Vasehi, who, on Christmas Day, landed near a hostile force to assist a comrade who had been forced down by rifle fire while machine-gunning an Abyssinian column in the Takazze area. Warrant-Officer Vasehi crashed owing to the uneven ground. Both men sot fire to their respective planes and signalled to the remainder of tho squadron that they would return on foot. The squadron flew low in order to protect them until troops, arriving in response to a wireless message ensured the safety of the pilots. LULL IN NEGOTIATIONS INDICATION AT ROME LONDON, Dec. 28. The Times’ Rome correspondent says that the departure to-day of the British Ambassador, Sir Eric Drummond, for a three weeks’ holiday in England is regarded as a definite indication that no new developments in relation to the Abyssinian situation were expected in the immediate future. The same view is also held in wellinformed Italian quarters, where, if is stated, no important political events are likely to occur before (he middle of January. The Daily Herald expects Russia and Poland shortly to intimate their readiness to (Race their formidable air forces at the disposal of the League in conformity with Article XVI of the covenant.