ITALIAN ADVANCE CONTINUES

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19699, 5 October 1935, Page 7

ITALIAN ADVANCE CONTINUES

TERRIBLE MASSACRE REPORTED. AIR RAID ON THE CAPITAL EXPECTED ABYSSINIANS WILL DIE FOR FREEDOM. (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright.) LONDON, Oct. 4. Correspondents at the Italian headquarters in Eritrea state that the Italian advance proceeds. Native cavalry and armoured cars with four propelling wheels are leading the infantry into Abyssinian territory. The progress made in the past few hours is considered remarkable in view of the total absence of roads. A message from Addis Ababa says the Italians are reported to he advancing on three fronts —in the north, in the east near the Aussa province, and in the south near Ogaden. Correspondents report that attacks from the air resulted in a terrible massacre. The Addis Ababa correspondent of the Times says an air raid on the capital is expected after the departure of the Italian Minister and his staff. The correspondent says the Italian Legation staff will be detained. Their special train has been cancelled. Immediately the news of the bombardment of Adowa and Adigrat Was received in Addis Ababa, says the Times correspondent, the faces of all the people were contorted with violence and rage. A crowd ran to the Emperor’s Palace, where Haili Selassie stood on the balcony perfectly calm. Tearing out their knives, the mob shouted: “Death to the Italians. Finish it once for all. God give you long life.” The Emperor, gently commanding silence, replied as he leaned on the balcony: “I am happy to see you with your knives, swords and rifles, but it is not I alone who know, but the great world without, that Abyssinian warriors will die for freedom.”

Pausing a moment, the Emperor continued: “Soldiers, I give you this advice, so that we can gain victory over the enemy. Be cunning; be savage; face the enemy one by one, two by two, five by five, in fields and on mountains. “Do not take white cloths. Do not mass as now. Hide and strike suddenly. Snipe and murder singly. To-day war has begun, therefore scatter and advance to victory.” At this the entire assemblage gave three cheers and shouted: “Glory to the Emperor.” Then they plunged out through the narrow Palace gates.

ROME IS CALM.

GERMAN AID SOUGHT. QUESTION OF SANCTIONS. INDIGNATION WITH FRANCE. ENDEAVOUR TO DRIVE BARGAIN. United Press Assn'.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, Oct. 4. The Rome correspondent of the British United Press stales Iliat Signor Mussolini had a lengthy conference with Herr Ulrigh von Hassel, German Ambassador, and discussed the possibility of Germany assisting Italy in the event of economic and financial sanctions being imposed. The Berlin correspondent of the Times says the newspapers continue to preserve the broad lines of neutrality enjoined by Herr Hitler’s policy of disinterestedness.

LONG CAMPAIGN LIKELY.

CRUSHING ITALIAN VICTORIES

A FORCE OF 250,000

United Tress Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright.

ROME, October 4

Rome Is calm. The reception of the nows of the opening of hostilities Is coupled with the expectation of crushing Italian victories within four months. The general view, however, Is that Abyssinia’s subjection will take two years.

The summoning of the League Council Is much discussed. Although Signor Mussolini will not consider economic sanctions a cause of war probably they will result In Italy withdrawing from the League.

The greatest interest lies in the result of the strain to which the relations between Britain and France willl be subjected. Indignation is expressed at France’s endeavour to drive a bargain committing Britain lo hypothetical future action. 'Phis, it is said, obviously was directed against Germany, and Britain’s repudiation of it was received with satisfaction.

The Italian forces In East Africa are estimated at 250,000, of whom 60,000 are natives.

FRIENDSHIP OR DEATH. ULTIMATUM BY ITALIANS. RESIDENTS FLEE TO INTERIOR. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright, (Received Oct. 5, 11 a.m.) ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 4. “Accept Italian friendship or die,” is tho slogan of proclamations which Italian planes are dropping on the inhabitants of Tigre, who are urged to separate from Abyssinia and choose tlieir own King. Streams of women and children, with goats, chickens and household goods, are lleeiiig into the interior from Adowa.

NO DECISIVE BATTLE. WAR ON ALL FRONTS. MILITARY POST BOMBED. United Press Assn.—Elec Tel. Copyright (Received October 5, 12.0 p.m.) ADDIS ABABA, October 4. , The correspondent of the SunHerald says,war has now started on all fronts. To-night the Government issued a communique stating that two Italian planes bombed a military post in Ogaden this afternoon, killing 1G soldiers and wounding many others. An infantry advance across the Ogaden Desert is expected Lo start hourly. LONDON, October a.

WARNING BY COMMANDER. “ I SHALL BE INEXORABLE." ALLEGATIONS AGAINST ABYSSINIA. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel, Copyright. LONDON, October 4. A message from Asmara, Eritrea, states that the Italian commander, General Bono, lias proclaimed the opening of hostilities. The proclamation says the Italian troops were ordered lo cross tho Mareb River in order to ensure the population’s tranquillity. It accuses Hie Abyssinian Government of violating, all treaties and of murdering innocent shepherds in Eritrean Somaliland, lo whom it refers as “ our faithful subjects and your brothers and sons.” Further, the proclamation urges ihc population to remain calm and con tin,tic llieir normal occupations and adds: “Woe to him who spreads false news or disturbs public order. 1 shall be inexorable."

The Italians bold 2000 square miles or Abyssinia, into which they have advanced from 12 to 20 miles. Despite the preliminary engagements incidental to the Italian advance southwards from Eritrea on a 40-mile front converging on Adowa and Adigrat, the latter having now been captured, nothing has thus far occurred which can be described as a decisive pitched battle. Few Troops Involved.

The Abyssinians declare that relatively few of their troops have been involved, which is borne out by the comparative speed of the main Italian advance. The Abyssinians seem to be retiring slowly, skirmishing as they fall back, in accordance with instructions. They will probably concentrate at llarrar, which is being reinforced by formidable masses of troops from Dessyo and Addis Ababa.

IN GOOD SPIRITS. many prisoners released. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, October 4. The News Chronicle’s Asmara correspondent says tho Italians crossed [ho frontier river March on pontoon bridges as the stream was too swollen to be forded. The troops arc in good spirits. To-night all the prison doors in Abyssinia were opened and 7000 prisoners were released to take up arms.

HEAVY SET BACKS. ADMISSION BY ABYSSINIA. United press Assn. —Elec. Tel. copyright. (Received Oct. 4, 11.10 a.m.) ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 4. The Abyssinians admit heavy setbacks*