ITALIAN LINE

Southland Times, Issue 22731, 6 November 1935, Page 7

ITALIAN LINE

STEADY ADVANCE DEFENDERS RETIRING VILLAGERS WELCOME TROOPS MIDGET TANKS LEAD (United Press Assn— Telegraph Copyright.) Asmara, November 4. The Italian line advanced fifteen miles yesterday, the Abyssinians retiring before the Italians, who resumed the movement at dawn to-day. Midget tanks are advancing ahead of the columns. Villagers waving white flags ana women shrieking a welcome greet the troops, while large herds of cattle which have been carefully concealed are brought out and sold to the Italians. Officials at Addis Ababa admit that once the Italians reach Makale resistance can be no longer delayed. Major-General J. F. C. Fuller, writing in the Daily Mail, says that despite heavy rains the Italians advanced a further thirteen miles to-day, two converging columns meeting within twenty miles of Makale. After the occupation of Hauzien General Biroli’s Askaris, whose flanks in accordance with the systematic plan of advance were well protected, occoupied the heights to the south-west, while General Santini’s Black Shirts crownde those to the south-east. General Santini’s main force is pushing on along via Inglese. This means that the Italian advance guards are well south of Hauzien, dominating the highlands above Gheralta. The populace of Mender, south-east of Hauzien, welcomed the incoming Black Shirts. A Sabauda division, a portion of General Santini’s command, supports the advance towards Amba where definite resistance is phophesied. The usual rumours prevail regarding an impending Italian offensive in the Ogaden area, but the only definite news is the Gorahai field wireless station, which is still functioning despite the discharge of a thousand bombs from Italian aeroplanes. Thirty women and fifteen children are reported to have been killed in an intensive Italian air bombardment near Gorahai. ARMISTICE DAY CELEBRATIONS IN ITALY. USUAL ENTHUSIASM LACKING. (United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright.) Rome, November 4. While the troops advance in Abyssinia Italy is celebrating Armistice Day. Signor Mussolini and the members of the Cabinet attended a special mass in memory of the 66,700 Italians killed in the war. The whole country is on holiday and all public buildings are beflagged. “Italy will smash in to victory, declared Signor Mussolini to a crowd celebrating the anniversary of the armistice, but despite the customary shouts of the Duce he did not secure the notably enthusiastic response. The assemblage seemed pensive, partly on account of rain and partly owing to a realization of the plodding nature of the Italian advance in Abyssinia, as the result of which the usual enthusiasm failed to characterize the celebrations. The populace is beginning to realize that time and money are required to complete the campaign and they may be more than Italy can afford. AGAINST BRITAIN DEMONSTRATIONS IN ITALY. (United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright.) Rome, November 4. Many British residents in Italy are departing owing to anti-British demonstrations. A crowd of a thousand tore down English and Belgian automobile signs from the Hotel Eden and invited passers-by to trample and spit on them. Students assembled at Thomas Cook’s offices and shouted: “What does England do?” and the crowd replied, “Stinks.” Passengers in the trains and trams reading English newspapers were insulted. Even the aristocracy are cutting out bridge and tea parties on account of their British associations. EXPORTS TO ITALY LEAGUE EMBARGO WIDENED. (United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright.) Geneva, November 4. The Economic Sub-Committee has agreed to ban the export of coal, steel, iron, oil and petrol to Italy. If the nations now applying sanctions agree the Committee of Eighteen is expected to invite the co-operation of nonsanctionists on November 6. The League itself is one of the first, sufferers from the sanctions. The Secretariat hoped to be able to move into the new building on November 15, but the work has been held up as marble and stonework mosaics ordered from Italy under contracts involving £lO,OOO have been cancelled. ABYSSINIAN POLICE REORGANIZATION OF FORCE. (United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 11.55 p.m.) London, November 5. The Addis Ababa correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that Captain Rudolph Brunner, who served four months’ imprisonment for participation in the Nazi putsch which resulted in the murder of Dr Dollfuss, after which he was expelled from Austria, has been engaged by the Emperor to reorganize the Abyssinian police force. Captain Brunner is reported to have brought a hundred German machine-guns from Berlin.