IF WAR COMES

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1935, Page 7

IF WAR COMES

CHANCES OF THE ITALIANS. AIR WEAPON DOUBTFUL. London, July 16. Summing up Italy’s chances in the event of war, the military correspondent of the Times says he considers that if Signor Mussolini limited his aim to annexing portion of southern Abyssinia he would not be likely to meet with serious opposition. His present attitude, however, suggests that he aims at conquering the entire country, which may have unfortunate military and political results.

An air attack would not be likely to be effective as Addis ’Ababa is 400 miles from the Haliam bases and 8000 feet above sea level.

The air problem probably would diminish as the land forces advanced, but the military problems would become more acute.

The Abyssinians have only 40,000 regular troops, but levies totalling more than 500,000 might be available for guerrilla warfare if the miracle of keeping them supplied could be achieved. The Abyssinian artillery includes only three batteries of “75’s” and 300 machine-guns. Modern armament would give the Italian forces a fighting value much greater than that represented by their actual numbers