TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER

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

TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER

FAMILIES WIPED OUT. TERRIFIC BATTLES FOUGHT. BOTH SIDES SUFFER HEAVILY. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Oct. 5, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 4. Mr Noel Monks, the Addis Ababa correspondent of the SunHerald, says terrific battles are being fought on the Eritrean frontier, resulting In heavy losses on both sides. The Abyssinlans are selling themselves dearly, and were on the point of winning a big battle for the possession of Maibarla, near Axume, to-day, when the Italians brought on an air raid, followed by a tanks corps. Massacre followed. After an all-night battle. the Abyssinians were forced to give up, Mount Ramab, a good strategic position. Whole Families Wiped Out. A Government official who returned from Adowa by aeroplane to-day feared that even more than 1700 were killed and wounded. ’ He said most of the inhabitants were sleeping at the time of the raid, and whole families were wiped out. Mr Monks adds: “There are still 40,000 men unarmed at Addis Ababa, because there is not a single rifle left. The biggest massacre the world has known is now well under way.”

ADOWA’S FALL EXPECTED. MUSSOLINI’S FIRST OBJECTIVE. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received October 5, 11.0 a.m.) ADDIS ABABA, October 4. Mr Noel Monks, the correspondent of the Sun-Heral<j, says Italy’s mechanised army had decided victories over the primitive and hare-footed Abyssinians along the north-eastern frontier to-day, and it Is considered it will be only a matter of hours before Adowa falls and Signor Mussolini's first big objective reached. The Italian tanks literally mowed their way through the Abyssinlans at Maibarla and Mount Ramab, capturing both points.

A Pathetic Appeal. In the meantime a pathetic “5.0.5.” was received here from Ras Seyoum, who for 24 ho,urs has been gallantly defending Agame. It read: “ Fighting to the last man. Unable to hold out much longer."

“We waited hours for further news,” says Mr Monk. “ Then came a flash, ‘ Agame fallen.’

" Even the Emperor knows no more than that.”

Negro Pilot a Hero.

Abyssinia’s hero to-day is Johannes Robinson, an American negro pilot, who, when returning to Addis Ababa from Adowa with urgent despatches, was attacked by two Italian planes, which, after a brief fight, turned and flew towards Eritrea. Robinson said Adowa can only hold out until to-night unless reinforced.

It is officially estimated that 5000 Abyssinlans have died since yesterday, and as many more were wounded.

Will Not Declare War!

The Emperor is determined not to declare war on the invaders. The weather is getting unbearably hot, and this is greatly in Abyssinia’s favour.

THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

EARLY SOUTHERN ADVANCE.

AIR SQUADRON’S SUCCESS

United Press Assn'. —Elec. Tel. Copyright

(Received Oct. 5, 11 a.m.) ROME, Oct. 4

It is officially announced that the Lion’s Head Air Squadron has returned to Asmara after completing its mission in brilliant fashion. Rome military circles prophesy an early outline of the Djibouti railway, a southerly advance from Adowa, and a whirlwind attack on liarrar, in which hundreds of two-man Sootier machine guns and tanks will participate.

THE ADVANCE RESUMED. ACTIVITY ON ALL FRONTS. FOOD FOR STARVING VILLAGERS. United Press Assrr.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Oct. 5, 10.20 a.m.) ROME, Oct. 4. An official communique states that Italian divisions of the regular army, Black Shirts, and native troops crossed tln« river Marab, and advanced 12 miles into Abyssinian territory. The villagers met the forces waving while sheets.

General Headquarters immediately ordered Hour and foodstuffs to bo supplied lo the people, who were in a starving condition.

Two bombing squadrons, nulwillislanding heavy lire from anli-aireraft guns, achieved their objective, and bombed armed forces at Adowa and Adigrat.

The advance was resumed on all fronts this morning.

100,000 Men Involved.

q'he British United Press’ correspondent with the Italian forces, says:

•• General Gabba informed me that over 100,000 men are involved in the present, operations, consisting of six divisions and numerous auxiliaries,’'