ITALIANS RESORT TO GAS ATTACKS

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19702, 9 October 1935, Page 7

ITALIANS RESORT TO GAS ATTACKS

NO MASKS FOR THE NATIVES. — V.. ■ Ni EMPEROR ORDERS EVACUATION OF ADIGRAT LEGATION’S APPEAL TO SIGNOR MUSSOLINI. (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright.) LONDON, Oct. 8. Forty members of the native staff of the Italian Legation have left Addis Abaha. The fear that air raids will quickly follow their departure, led hundreds of foreigners to dash to the station, hut the train was full. The Addis Ahaha correspondent of the British United Press says Ras Seyoum has telegraphed that he has captured an Italian Colonel and 30 officers. Haili Selassie is not willing that the prisoners should be brought to Addis Ababa lest they excite the population. General Nasihu, Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Abyssinians, reports that bursting aerial bombs blanketed a wide area with a thick yellow gas, which is causing the soldiers and non-combatants to suffer painfully. He adds that only a few troops have gasmasks and the use of gas is incredible and revolting. Mr Monks, the Sun-Herald's correspondent, says that for three days the Abyssinians at Adigrat have withstood terrible aerial bombardments, against which they are helpless to retaliate. Yesterday, however, at the Emperor’s command they withdrew silently, and it was not until the planes came over for a further raid that they saw the town had been deserted. Claiming a victory, the Italians marched in to-day. The Emperor has cabled to the League, telling of the situation, and declaring that as the Abyssinians are purely on the defensive they would not attempt to recapture the town. Haili Selassie is still looking to the League to save his country from the annihilation and massacre that threaten. The Legations have sent a combined note to Signor Mussolini, petitioning him not to bomb Addis Ababa, because of the needless slaughter of hundreds of women and. children that would follow.