ITALIAN ADVANCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 266, 13 November 1935, Page 9

ITALIAN ADVANCE

BLOW TO ABYSSINIA ROAD TO HARRAR NOW OPEN INVADERS ON OUTSKIRTS OF DAGABUR ' FURTHER GROUND WON IN NORTH i.b'y Telegraph—Prees Aasociation—Copyright! Received Nov. 12, 5.15 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 11. Most of this morning’s war dispatches deal with, the reported arrival j of Italians on ths outskirts of Dagabur , alter the capture of Sasa Baneh. There is some incredulity that ordinary forces could have made an unprecedented advance of a hundred miles in seven days ' in such country, and it is suggested that the feat is attributable to the fleet 1 of light tanks. Columns under General Fruschi and Colonel Maletoo have adequately garrisoned Sasa Baneh. Extensive air bombing, aided by the burning off of bush by incendiary bombs, prepared the way for the invaders’ advance on Dagabur. from the Italian military standpoint, the fall of Gorahai is one of the most serious blows to Abyssinia, endangering t the whole zone, reserves, and concen- ■ trations betwen Sasa Baneh, Harrar, and Jijiga, giving the Italians command of wells which are indispensable for the troops, and opening a direct 1 route to Harrar along the Fafan'ValAbyssinian Penetration in South. ( The British United Press agency’s Harrar correspondent says it is repored that Pas Desta. with a strong ’ force, has penetrated into Italian Somaliland behind Dolo in order to attack General Graziani’s troops in the rear, and that afterwards he will try to join Ras Nasibu. Meanwhile unconfirmed reports from Rome state that Ras Nasibu’s troops mutinied and murdered him. 1 A Rome communique declares that the chief Abd el Krim, the late Mullah’s son, commanding important racial groups at Bagheri, in the Ogaden, surrendered at Gorahai. A message from Rome confirms that the Abyssinians are massing at Amba Alagi, but an unofficial message from Addis Ababa says that the Abyssinians are in full retreat on the northern and southern fronts. The capture of Antalo, 30 miles north of Amba Alagi, is also reported. An Addis Ababa message states that Ras Nasibu indignantly denies the story of his assassination. Purpose at Jijiga. The Italians in the southern sector are strongly pressing on towards Jijiga in order to cut off supplies coming from British Somaliland, but it is. too early to interpret the advance as a definite mass manifestation against Hurra, although this must be the invaders’ ultimate objective. Stores and transport animals captured by the Italians at Sasa Baneh. v.hich Haile Selassie does not yet ad mit he has lost, are substantial, though not equal to those secured at. Gorahai.