MIGHT OF ITALY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18954, 3 March 1936, Page 5

MIGHT OF ITALY

TRIUMPH IN WAR MESSAGE TO ETHIOPIANS “UNABLE TO RESIST US” - PLIGHT NOW CRITICAL BRITISH EXPERT’S VIEW (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Mar. 3, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, March 2.

A message from 'Addis Ababa says that the Italians are reported to lie advancing, south in Abyssinia from Negelli towards the narrow pass of Adolo, which lias Desta is stubbornly defending. The Abyssinian troops are rapidly moving in the J3ovan district, which is considered of the greatest, importance as the road leads from it to Addis Ababa.

Major-General A. C. Temperley, the Daily Telegraph’s military correspondent, considers the fortunes of the campaign are definitely swinging towards Italy, lie considers General Badoglio’s tactics to be most skilful and that the Italian commander acted with great energy and that, provided he can feed his troops, tie should reach Lake Ashangi without difficulty, after which lie probably will make a long pause as Desse is 120 miles distant ana cannot be reached before the rains. “The greatest danger to the Abyssinians has always been the risk of disintegration following a big reverse and their situation now is critical,” says General Temperley.

The rout of the Abyssinians is complete, says an Italian communique issued at Rome this morning. “The second battle of Tembien began on Thursday with the advance of the Eritrean Army Corps from the north and the Third Army Corps from the south, and it continued with, fierce fighting on the following days and ended in a shattering victory,” says the communique. VIOLEN T COIJNTE.R-ATTACKS “The armies of Ras Kassa and Ras Soy oil m tried desperately to escape from the grip closing round them, carrying out violent counter-attacks in the direction of Wareiu Pass, and also aiming at flanking the Third Army Corps. “The enemy everywhere was put to fight with enormous losses in men and arms and entire supply columns. For the first time, complete divisions of Abyssinians abandoned weapons. Hundreds of aeroplanes arc pursuing and bombing the remainder, without respite.

“Our losses were not. heavy, considering the wide range and importance of the battle and as vet are not fully known.”

The Italians issued a- proclamation in Abyssinian, the flowery language' staling that tile powerful King of Italy had conquered the armies of Haile Selassie and both extremities would expire. The air force was approaching Addis Ababa and the Italians were preparing to continue tlie advance to Uhdelude. “You are unable to resist, us," continues- the proclamation. “We Italians are bringing civilisation to enable you to live - better, but, if opposed, we will be as implacable as the thunders and lightnings accompanying us.”

The Italian occupation of Amba TJ'ork is reported to have compelled the Abyssinians to evacuate Addi Addi after a stubborn conflict, leaving numerous machine-guns and much ammunition supplies in the victors’ hands. The Third Army Corps which closed the Sokota road,. achieved this conquest, and occupied the adjacent villages: The Abyssinian columns, benefiting by a rearguard action at Addi Addi. retired, pursued by the Eritrean Army Corps. OFFENSIVE, CONTINUING

Meanwhile the Second Army Corps joined the Third Army Corps in a northward movement from Aksum Caela, on route for Selacla Afgaga, in order to complete the disorganisation of the Abyssinians and remove the threat to Italian communications. The fugitives included Ras Kassa, lias Sevoiim, and such of their followers as . evaded the pincers movement which encircled them, and retreated to Takazze, the valley of which is being aerially 'bombed.

The Italian general offensive is continuing in all northern sectors, with the object of ensuring a complete collapse of the Abyssinians, which is declared to bo a mere matter of days, and establishing the Italian line from Gondar to Lake Ashangi.

Reports circulating in Rome that Ras Kassa committed suicide following the defeat are emphatically denied at Addis Ababa.

An Addis Ababa message states that Abyssinian headquarters admit fierce fighting on the northern front, in which hundreds were killed. Nevertheless, they acclaim the exploit of Gerazrnateh Saikai, a senior officer of the Italian Askaris, who with three junior officers arrived byair after deserting the Italians. They stated they led a mutiny against the white officers at Negelli, killing 15, after which they led 4000 Askaris with ICO pieces of artillery and 200 machine-guns into Ras Desta’s lines, where they surrendered. They will join the Abyssinian forces at Sidamo. Italian planes bombed * ,- >e retreating mutineers, killing 12.