HALT CALLED

Southland Times, Issue 22732, 7 November 1935, Page 5

HALT CALLED

ITALIAN ADVANCE UNSEASONABLE RAIN new roads damaged line being adjusted (United Press Assn.— Telegraph Copyright) London, November 5. The special correspondent British United Press with the Italians says General de Bono has ordered the advance to be halted to permit bringing up supplies and to push on wi road construction, which is " ficult owing to unseasonable rain, wnen completed the thrust towards Makale will be resumed. Operations to-day and to-morrow will be limited to straightening the line. It is estimated that the advance covered 4300 square miles of Abyssinian territory. , A communique from General ae Bono issued in Rome records the occupation of Hauzien and other points, and adds: ‘‘Our advance was very fast, the Abyssinians fleeing before us. Our troops were welcomed everywhere. Abyssinian Caravans Wiped Out. An Adowa message states that despite terrific thunderstorms the Italians claim that the advance is proceeding according to plan. The British United Press correspondent with the Italians considers that the prospects of fighting are stronger. Reconnoitring aeroplanes are sighting large bodies of Abyssinian troops with increasing frequency. It is expected that the enemy will attempt to harass the Italians’ movements. General de Bono is prepared for such a contingency and is exploiting his mechanical superiority to the utmost. An Addis Ababa report states that Italian planes wiped out Abyssinian caravans conveying munitions and petrol from British Somaliland, the raid being the largest since the opening of hostilities. The carnage was frightful, few escaping slaughter. Though the Abyssinian rains are unseasonable and therefore are not expected to continue, they are virtually cloudbursts, greatly damaging the r.ew roads to Makale and bogging the artillery and mechanized units. The Italians hope to continue the advance on November 7. Meanwhile, supplies are being dropped from aeroplanes. Danakil Operations.

Italy’s Danakil allies continue their southward advance in the direction of the Jibuti railway which will not be attacked without reinforcements. The immediate result of the Danakil progress is the submission to Italy of Dedjazmath Waldgebrield, chief of the Agama district, which is regarded as the most important surrender since those of Gougsa and Aksum.. Petrol is now more precious than water in thirst-ridden Massawa, the price in Italy being 5/4 a gallon. The authorities fear that sanctions may cut off supplies, therefore the utmost expedition is being used in unloading supplies. The present stocks at Asmara will suffice only for a six weeks’ intensive campaign. It is officially stated that the Suez Canal Company declares that it is impossible to close the waterway which must, under the 1888 convention, be open to all ships, whether belligerent or not.

POOR IMPRESSION ITALIAN ARMY’S PERFORMANCE. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, November 5. The Times, in a leading article, says that qualitatively the Italian Army’s performance in Abyssinia . hitherto makes a poor impression, falling short of what should be expected from improvements after the war. There are numerous signs of faulty organization which may justify the reports that the communications were chaotic after the original advance. Other reports hinted that Italian infantry were not eager to advance unless preceded by tanks; also when the ground was too difficult for tanks the infantry also stopped. Some colour is given to these reports by the fact that native troops are the spearhead oi the advance, whereas formerly they occupied a subsidiary t role. ITALIAN REINFORCEMENTS DEPARTURE FROM NAPLES. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Naples, November 5. Five hundred officers and 10,000 men sailed for East Africa yesterday in three transports. NATIVES’ REQUEST PHOTOGRAPHS OF MUSSOLINL (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) , London, November 5. The Rome correspondent of The Times says that Italian war correspondents in East Africa describe how the natives in the occupied territories are anxiously asking for photographs of Signor Mussolini to hang in their huts. In order to supply this wish the official Italian photographic organization has been ordered to print “thousands and thousands of the famous photographs showing Signor Mussolini standing erect on a tank ” LEAGUE A REALITY MR CHURCHILL’S OPINION. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, November 5. “The League, which ' was recently almost a mockery, has now become a reality,” said Mr Winston Churchill at Hull. The real explanation was that the British Fleet in the Mediterranean, where its presence had raised the whole life of the League to a higher plane, had made a great experiment of future government by law into reality,

which was a far greater cause of anxiety to Signor Mussolini than the Abyssinian Army.

GENEVA DISCUSSIONS APPLICATION OF SANCTIONS. (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, November 5. The Earl of Stanhope, Under-Secre-tary for Foreign Affairs, has left London for Geneva where he will represent the British Government in the absence of Mr Eden and Lord Cranbourne, who are engaged at home in the election contest. A meeting of the Committee of Eighteen will be held to-morrow to consider the reports of the sub-com-mittees which have been discussing technical questions arising from the application of sanctions, including the question of clearing agreements and additions to the list of prohibited key exports. MILITARY TRIUMPH MUSSOLINI’S OBJECTIVE. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Paris, November 5. The Press considers that the Italian advance averts all hope of a settlement and proves that Signor Mussolini is determined on a resounding military triumph. WARNING IGNORED TRADE WITH BELLIGERENTS. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 10.50. p.m.) Washington, Nov. 6. Reports to the Commerce Department indicate that Mr Roosevelt’s warning against trade with the belligerents in the war between Italy and Ethiopia is being completely ignored by exporters of essential materials. The major part of the trade is from Gulf of Mexico ports, New Orleans and other points reporting the greatest activity for several years. Petroleum and cotton are the principal exports. For example, the shipments of petroleum to Italy in August and September increased 600 per cent over those for the corresponding months of 1934. The department indicated that nothing would be done in the matter except to compile reports and forward them to the State Department for consideration.