ADDIS ABABA ATTACKED.

Wairarapa Age, 3 August 1936, Page 5

ADDIS ABABA ATTACKED.

ABYSSINIAN BANDS REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSS. ACCORDING TO ITALIAN COMMUNIQUE. CAPTURE OF DESBIE REPORTED. LONDON, July 31. An Italian communique, issued in Addis Ababa announces that Abyssinian bands attacked Addis Ababa on July 29, hoping that the population would rise, but on the other hand their people remained calm and even helped to repulse the attackers, who retired with heavy losses, aeroplanes assisting in routing them.. The Italian losses were negligible. Local reports state that the attackers were led by Ras Kassa, who is believed to have been wounded, but another report says that the raiders were led by Ras Kassa’s son and not by Ras Kassa. A Jibuti message states that the Abyssinians are reported to have captured Dessie. Unrest is reported among Italian soldiers and workers at Massawa, who are demanding repatriation to Italy. (Ras Kassa accompanied the Emperor Haile Selassie in his flight to Jibuti and Jerusalem, and on his subsequent visit to England.) FIGHTING CONTINUES. RAS SEYOUM CLAIMS MASSACRE OF TROOPS. (Received Sunday, 6.30 p.m.) DJIBOUTI, August 1. Travellers continue to bring reports indicating that the fighting at Dessie and Addis Ababa is graver than the Italians acknowledge. Ras Seyoum is reported to have massacred several thousand Italian and native troops. Fighting continues. Sons of Ras Kassa are said to be actually occupying a part of Addis Ababa.