“BASIS OF PEACE”

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1935, Page 5

“BASIS OF PEACE”

DESERTIONS HOPED WEAKENING OF ENEMY SIX CHIEFTAINS SUBMIT ADDIS ABABA SHOCKED By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, October 14. The surrender of Aksum and other indications of local Abyssinian disintegration suggest developments showing that the Italian military .authorities have. the situation on a basis they prefer—a peaceable one. According to the Exchange Agency’s correspondent at the Italian headquarters the authorities are especially gratified at the surrender of the sacred town, of Aksum. Gougsa’s surrender has shaken the Abyssinians in the north, leading to six other chieftains coming in with their followers.

Many of those making submission were formerly employed as labourers in Eritrea. They speak Italian and declare that they do not wish to fight Mussolini’s soldiers. An Addis Ababa message says that news of Gougsa’s desertion has shocked the capital. The British United Press correspondent at Harrar says that the news of the killing of non-combatants in air raids in the south has intensified the hatred of Italians among the Abyssinian troops concentrated around Harrar, from which a large force is departing southward in an attempt to prevent capture of wells which are essential to any army in the Ogaden region. Fitourari Bakale Haile commands this army, which includes thousands of irregulars armed with knives and cutlasses, with which they are determined to take vengeance on the Italians.

The British United Press correspondent at the Italian headquarters says that the Italians are aiming. to exploit the submission of the Coptic priests, who are more influential than the Emperor. Realising this the Italians show the greatest deference for Abyssinian religious' feelings, and they deliberately avoided attacking and bombing Aksum. The first column of military lorries has reached Adowa along the road the Italian engineers built, replacing a rocky fivefoot trail used for centuries.

Ras Seyoum is reported to be retreating with his forces towards Tembien. The Italian military line now stretches 25 miles into Abyssinia on a 60-mile front.

A Djibouti message says that the Italian Legation staff arrived safely at the French Somaliland frontier by train from Addis Ababa.