ABYSSINIAN CLAIM.

Wairarapa Age, 15 February 1936, Page 5

ABYSSINIAN CLAIM.

ALLNIGHT ITALIAN ATTACK REPULSED. CLASH ON TAFAN RIVER NEAR IMI WOMEN GOING TO BATTLE. (Received Friday, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 13. In a copyright message “The Times” Dessie correspondent says the Abyssinians claim that on February 11 they repulsed an allnight Italian attack on an Abyssinian outpost at Imi, on the Tafan River, which was strongly held as the head of the motor road from Dagamodo to Addis Ababa. An eyewitness relates that the constant stream of Abyssinian reinforcements moving up in Tembien include at least twenty per cent, women, who are dressed as men and are carrying rifles and ammunition. It is officially stated that the Abyssinians killed two hundred askaris at Curati on February 11 and captured large supplies of clothing, food and ammunition. On the other hand, the Rome official spokesman declares: “General Graziani’s troops have never held Curati. It is now part of the Abyssinians’ lying campaign to announce that our troops have occupied a town and were then compelled to exacuate it.”—• (Times Cable). LIEUT.-COL. HOLT. MERELY A MILITARY ATTACHE. (Received Friday, 7.30 p.jn.) LONDON, February 13. Officials at Ethiopian headquarters states the Dessie correspondent of “The Times” are amused by the allegation that Lieut.-Colonel Holt (British Military Attache in Addis Ababa) is acting as Haile Selassie’s chief military adviser. They emphasise that Colonel Holt is merely performing duties as military attache. OFFICIAL DENIAL. AN ABSURD ALLEGATION. (Received, Friday, 7.30 p.m.) ROME, February 13. Sir Eric'Drummond (British Ambassador to Italy) called on Dr. Suvich And pointed out that there was not the slightest ground for the absurd allegation in Italian newspapers that Lieutenant-Colonel Holt was acting as Haile Selassie’s chief military adviser.