SOMALIS DESERT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 284, 4 December 1935, Page 7

SOMALIS DESERT

CONCERN TO ITALIANS HARDSHIPS IN DESERT COMING ETHIOPIAN ATTACK [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright 1 LONDON, Dec. 2. Mr. Percivhl Phillips, in a message irom Jibuti, says that desertions of •Somali troops are causing concern to the Italian high command. Two detachments holding advanced posts last week lied panic-stricken, believing that, large forces were behind small Abyssinian raiding parties. Somalis arc also reported to be deserting to the Abyssinian* owing to their unwillingness to endure further hardships in the desert campaign. General Graziani has been forced extensively to alter the composition of his forces, using Europeans instead of Moslems, who are observing Eamadan, when they fast all day long and accordingly are unable to fulfil their usual duties. There are indications that Marshal Badoglio will not long be permitted to carry out his reorganisation on the northern front undisturbed. It is reported that a constant stream of Abyssinians is advancing from Dessie to attack. Marshal Badoglio ; s armies. Huge Bombs on Dagabur. 1 he Manchester Guardian says that a mass air attack on Jijiga is daily expected. The Italians without icsult showered hugs bombs sft. lOin. long and weighing luulb. on Dagabur, and many failed to explode. One Italian aeroplane dropped 23 bombs in a fruitless effort to kill one Abvssinian soldier. A message from Geneva states that the Abyssinian Foreign Minister has informed the League that in erder to spare the civilian pc-puiation and foreigners against possible air bombardment, the Emperor has decided that all troops evacuate Harrar, which will be used solely as a base for wounded from I the Ogaden. i A Kome report states that the efii- • ial figures of casualties in November I was 4 officers and 3 other ranks killed, • and 1 officer and 40 other ranks who i died of illness I It is officially stated in Asmara that I Colonel Ghercmcdin Hagos, rep resen tI ing Tigre in the Abyssinian Parliament, i has made submission at Adowa. This | is claimed as proof of tie fruitfulness of the Italian political penetration. AH ; Tigre is now reported io have sub-