TROOPS MOVE

Southland Times, Issue 22730, 5 November 1935, Page 7

TROOPS MOVE

ALL FRONTS BIG ADVANCE BEGUN “REAL THING AT LAST” STRONG RESISTANCE (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Rome, November 3. A communique states that the troops have resumed the offensive on all fronts. The advance columns are proceeding to Dolo (Tigre) and Makale. Columns are also carrying out an action in the Ogaden area, while air reconnaissance is active everywhere. “The real thing at last,” triumphantly declares the Italian Press, describing the general advance on the northern front. The British United Press special correspondent with the Italians states that the movement began at daybreak. Three army corps and two Black Shirt divisions, comprising 125,000 men, are participating with tanks. Askari troops formed the advance guard, while scouting and bombing planes searched for enemy troop concentrations. Signor Mussolini’s sons are among the pilots. Ambitious Venture. The Italians are carrying 450 pieces of artillery and 3000 machine-guns. The object of the advance, which is the most ambitious the Italians have undertaken, is the occupation of the southern area of Tigre and Makale. The first goal is expected to be occupied at noon to-morrow.. . The front extends over 100 miles. Mechanized units and supplies are moving over roads which have been constructed during the past fortnight. Early reports indicate that the Abyssinian rearguard is offering a stiff resistance. General Santini s column is advancing on the right flank, General Biroli’s native troops on the centre front and General Maravigna’s column, which is protecting the left flank, is reported to be operating with difficulty. Far out to the left a fourth column, commanded by General Mariotti, is advancing simultaneously. It consists of Askaris and a large number of Danakil tribesmen, estimated at 20,000, who deserted to the Italians. ADVANCE ON MAKALE GRADUAL ENCIRCLEMENT. DIREDAW A BEING BOMBED. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, November 3. The pincer movement from the north and the east is gradually encircling Makale. Two columns of General Santini’s corps are now based on Dolo, in Tigre, ten miles east of Makale. Other columns will advance along the caravan tracks from the north. Abyssinians in the south are remforcing Diredawa which the Italians are bombing. South of Jijiga both sides are hurriedly reinforcing troops. ,In Ogaden General Graziani is straightening his front by moving two leftwing columns northward. Ras Nasibu, commanding the Abyssinians below Harar, has secured three thousand modem rifles and a hundred thousand rounds of ammunition. The Asmara correspondent of The Times says that the Italians are moving with the greatest deliberation and avoiding any risk of incidents liable to contradict the impression that their advance is irresistible. Colonial officials accompany each army corps in order to organize administration in the occupied territory. General Biroli’s divisions easily captured Hauzien and effected contact with the main force. General Santini s right wing, based on Adowa, is proceeding southward to the bend of the Takazze river near Kammel in order to protect the flank of the main advance. Ras Seyoum is believed to be holding the country behind the bend. The subsidiary force moving from Massawa southwards covers the main advance from any attack from the Danakil country. The British United Press correspondent at Asmara states that the Italians claim that the first wave of the advance has reached all the day’s objectives. DANAKIL TRIBESMEN ITALIAN POSITION HARRIED. PROPAGANDA IN OGADEN. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, November 3. The Addis Ababa correspondent of The Times says that the. Abyssinian movement in the Mussali area continues. Danakil tribesmen round the Immini marshes are harrying the Italian position at night with some success. The Addis Ababa correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that Italy is exploiting the Ogaden invasion by unifying the tribesmen, who still revere the memory of the “Mad Mullah,” by educating his four sons , at Mogadiscio, preparatory to sending them into the interior to preach Italian propaganda. They depict the Mullah as a martyr whom the British hounded to death. Somalis regard the remotest descendants of the Mullah with the highest respect and freely supply them with all requisites. SLOW ADVANCE INVADERS’ INTENSE CAUTION. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.35 p.m.) London, November 3. Major-General A. C. Temperley, military correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, summing up, points out that the Italians as a result of a month’s warfare have advanced practically unopposed 60 miles. A prolonged period will be required for consolidation when Makale is reached. The rate of advance is no reflection on the staff or the troops; it merely indicates that intense caution is the result of the unforgotten lesson of 1896. ABYSSINIAN EMPEROR ANNIVERSARY OF CORONATION. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Addis Ababa, November 3. After a special service at the Cathedral the Emperor seated on the throne at the palace with the Empress \received the salutations of the Diplomatic Corps on the anniversary of his coronation. He expressed his conviction that Abyssinia would emerge from the ordeal with honour and dignity. Dedjazmatch Kibrat arrived here with a thousand warriors. He took a taxi ride with three companions in the main street last night and collided with

an uncontrolled motor-car, the quartet being killed. RULE OF FASCISM MOULDING THE CITIZEN. LIFE IN MODERN ITALY. In the 13 years since Signor Mussolini’s march on Rome ushered in the Fascist regime the life of. Italy has undergone one of the most remarkable changes in the history of civilization. Co-ordination of effort, under a ruthless discipline, has replaced an ineffectual direction of the country’s affairs and made the nation a new and vital force in Europe. The National Fascist Party is the driving force in Italian political l^ e * It is a section of the nation, a trained class, the function of which is leadership, the Fascist theory being that “the problem of government will never be solved by trusting in this illusive will of the masses, but must be solved by a careful selection of the guiding spirits.” The party is the fundamental institution of the regime. An aspect of the new Italy .which impresses the fleeting visitor is the cleanliness of the cities, where formerly there was squalor, the orderly and punctual railway services, where dilatoriness once ruled, and the absence of beggars where medicancy was unrestrained. The restoration of ancient monuments is another symptom of the national reorientation visible in striking form. Movements Among Youth. Fascism, however, means much more than this. It “lives the life of the people, interprets their sentiments, supports them in difficulties, forms their civil conscience.” So says an official statement. It penetrates even to the private life of the citizen and seeks to discipline thought and feeling. In a hundred and one ways is its working seen.

The great Italian youth movements illustrate the scope of the training considered necessary for the citizen of the Fascist State. Juvenile boys are enrolled in the Balilla corps, and the girls in the Piccole and Giovane Italiano, in which they march and wheel or do “doll drill,” according to their sex. From 14 to 18 years of age the lads belong to the Avanguardisti, their training in this organization having a strongly military element. The day on which the Avanguardisti first receives his rifle is looked upon as a great occasion. Juvenile Fascism for boys cannot be ignored by parents who are ambitious for the future of their sons. Women and Families. Where women are concerned the aim of Fascism is conservative—the life domestic, a husband and a home, and children, the more children the better. Advocacy of methods of family limitation is a penal offence, and in addition to bonuses for large families preference of employment is given to married persons and tax discrimination is made against the single. In certain cases of large families the State rewards include free tram rides and reduced rates for gas and electricity. The power of the cinema film has readily been recognized by the Fascist regime, which has entered the field of photographic entertainment. The Government enterprise known as L.U.C.E., formely the limited company L’Unione Cinematografica Educativa, provides and distributes the official output of films and press photographs. It is by law established that the lessees and proprietors of Italian cinema theatres are obliged to include in their programmes such educational and propagandist items as the competent authority of L.U.C.E. may ordain. Any action or word on the part of the citizen against the State is rigorously checked. “Whoever publicly vilifies the Italian nation,” states the new penal code of 1931, “shall bo punished with penal servitude from one to three years.” Tire same penalty applies to the citizen who vilifies the national flag or other emblem of State. Further, “whoever makes an attempt against the life, security, or personal liberty of the head of the Government shall be punished with death.”