“LULL BEFORE STORM”

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 301, 28 December 1935, Page 5

“LULL BEFORE STORM”

Intense Italian Activity

WHAT IS EXPECTED

ENFORCEMENT OF SANCTIONS

Rv Telegraph—Cftpyvigtit — Ass?

ROME, Dec. 26.

Now that Christmas is over, Italy is preparing for important military and political events which are believed to be imminent. The last few days have beeen considered merely the lull before the storm. There is no doubt here that Mr. Anthony Eden, the new British Foreign Minister, will lose no time in changing British policy to one of close cooperation with the League of Nations. It is believed here that this will mean the strictest enforcement of sanctions. It is reliably reported to-day that in the face of a possible development in the Mediterranean ,the Italian navy is preparing for action. Thirteen thousand naval specialists have been called up for active service. Most of them, it is said, formerly worked in gun turrets or powder rooms on Italian ships. Because of the delicate diplomatic situation in Europe, it is reported that Signor Mussolini’s strategy will be to take the initiative in the military field by pushing operations in East Africa, in the hope that he may obtain a solution of the dispute between Italy and Ethiopia by force of arms before the European situation becomes more complicated. It is thought that Marshal Badoglio is advancing along the centre line from Addi Abbi to Gheva, which is a stronger defensive position than the one the Italians are occupying. He is expected to order an advance southward from Makale toward Ambalagi and Lake Ashangi.

WAR MATERIALS

CONSIGNMENT FOR ETHIOPIANS

LONDON, Dec. 26.

The “Daily Mail’s’’ special Hargeisa correspondent says that 11 lorries passed there en route for Abysrinia, containing the first consignment of 500 tons of arms and ammunition reported to have been landed at Berbera from British steamers. It consist of 15,000,000 rounds of ammunition, 4,000 rifles, 36 antitank guns.

A ship’s steward, an Austrian exsoldier, proceeds inland to instruct the Ethiopians how to operate antitank guns.

Abyssinian forces shot down an Italian plant at Dagabur. The Abys-

sinians, who were hiding in a pit, were not seen by the occupants of the machine which swooped low, bringing it within the range of rifle fire.

Two of the crew escaped, but the third was reported captured. He was decapitated.

Italian forces are reported to have defeated a band of 150 armed Abyssinians who were crossing the Danakil desert to obtain supplies of salt.