ITALIAN OCCUPATION
OF LAKE TSANA
Troops Swear An Oath To Defend It
"Hong Kong Daily. Press" Speçła”)
Rome, April 18.
The spirit prevalling among the Italian troops advancing in- to the heart of Abyssinta is revealed by an incident which took place when a column commendered by Starace. Secretary of Fas cist Party, after Lake Tsaria was reached and the Italian tricol- our was hoisted.
Starace required the troops to take the oath: "We swear "that the waters of this lake will be crimsoned with the blood of whoever should make an attempt to take this away from us again." These words were uttered solemnly from the extreme end of a promentary jutting out into Lake Tsana,' recently renamed Cape Mussolini.
―
The semi-official "Giornale d'Italla" prints these words on the front page in heavy type heading across four columns of the paper, Intimating that this settles once and for all the question of the ultimate possession of the Lake Tsana region.
Marshal Badcglio's latest tele-
CAPTURE OF HARRAR CLAIMED
gram from the front which was dubblah kim tubetik Didacu&ad¬Å¥Â€ published here as official Italian war bulletin No. 188 states that in the Dessie region numerous chlets and notables reported to Italian headquarters on Friday, and signi- fed itself extraordinarily at the Italian occupation.
-content
On the Somali front. the Italian advance guard were coming into touch with the enemy, The Air Force continues to be very active. Transureen News Service;
SD
DESSIE ACTIVITY
Rome, Apr, 18. The First Army Corps and Eritrean column have been pouring into Dessie the ast IWO days. The Italian High Command has transferred its headquarters to the Imperial Palace at Dessie,"
The reason for the delay in the advance of General Graziani's for- ces in the southern front is given as due to an dutbreak of influenza among mules which are necessary for transportation purposes.
Rome, Apr. 18.
It is semi-oficially reported that Harrar has been captured.
Reports from the southern front claim that the Libyan Division after sixty hours of most bitter fight ing defeated Ras Nasibu's right wing defending the approaches to Harrar.
The Abyssinian commander Ded- jasmatch Abebedamtu was killed with three thousand followers.
It is admitted that the Italian casualties were high- Reuter
JIJIGA OCCUPIED
Addis Ababa, Apr. 19. It is reported that the Italians have occupfed Jijiga Reuter
General Graziani is now relying
Ras Nasibou on motor lorries for carrying sup- adviser. Wahib Pasha, are feverish- and his Turkish
plies and roads are feverisaly con- structed to enable the forces to ine" which the Abyssinians are by strengthening the "Hindenburg advance. Twenty thousand labourers siated to have constructed on mo- have been rushed from Italy fordern principles along these roads. road making in the southern front.
Another line is believed Renter's Bulletin Seruice.
been prepared before Jijiga and Harrar to protect the road into British Somaliland, which is now the main artery for the import of Abysainion münitions.
FOREIGNERS ALARMED
Addis Ababa, Apr. 18. In view of the possible Italian attempt to occupy the capital soon. the Abyssinian Government is con- sidering the question of moving the seat of Government westward.
Alarmed by alleged threats of the Italians to punish whites who have been assisting the Abyssinians, the Belgian officers and instructors are seeking permission to leave the country, but it is understood the Government is not prepared to release them until their expires.-
contract
Reuter's Bulletin Seruice.
RAINS HAMPER OPERATIONS
to have
HONG TONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, APRIL 20, 1936.
LEAGUE PALACE
APATHY
Empty Echoes In The Corridors
("Hong Kong Daily Press Special)
Geneva. Apr. 18.
An air of apathy descended on League beadquarters on Saturday after it became known that as a result of M. Paul Boncour's conver- sation with Mr. Anthony Eden an Friday, Britain came round to the French view providing
that the convocation or the Committee of Eighteen as well as all decisions re- garding sanctions will be postponed until after the French elections on May 11.
The corridors of the League Pa- lace echoed emptily, the only ses- ston taking place there on Satur- day being that of the Committee of Thirteen which met for the purpose of deciding the main fea- tires of the report which the Pre- sident, Senor de Madariaga will submit to the League Council on Monday on the fallure of concilia- tion negotiations. This fact it is understood has been expressed in draft resolution which also gives 3 non-committal expression to the hope that the situation will prove.
The Committee of Thirteen it- self adopted a report by its legal experts on the infringements of the conventions of warfare D which the belligerents mutually ac- cused each other and this report wy be conveyed to the conflictine parties with a request for an ex- pression of their views.— Transocean News Service.
PEACE EFFORT FAILURE
Uneasiness Felt In Italy
***Hong Kong Daily Press" Special)
Rome, Apr. 18.
In the leading polical circles here, the consequences of the fall ure of the attempts made by the Committee of Thirteen to bring, about a settlement of the Italo- Abyssinian conflict by arbitration appears to be causing uneasiness which expresses itself in the re-
The new Viceroy of India, Lord Linlithgow has assumed office with the customary official ceremonies.
SILVER MARKET
(From Our Own Correspondent)
London. April 18. London Silver prices to-day were up 1/8 on "Spot" and 1/16 "Forward." as follow:-
April 17 .20-3/4 ....20-13/18
Spot. Forward
April 18 20-7/8 30-7/8
NEW VICEROY : OF INDIA
Great Welcome At
Capital
London, Apr. 18.
A royal salute of 31 Kuns an- nounced the arrival in New Delhi to-day of the new Viceroy. Lord Linlithgow. who with his entour- age traveled th a' special train from Bombay, Great crowds ga- thered to welcome him and he was enthusiastically cheered 2.4 he the Durbar Had there was a dis- drove to Viceroy's House were in
tinguished gathering including the Commander-in-Chief, high officials of the Government of India, ruling princes. diplomatic representatives and members of the Central Legis
lature.
H
After Lord Linlithgow had peen sworn in, the Viceregal flag was
The Abyssinians recently bought peated assertion that the blame unfurled and a royal salute of 31
a number of anti-tank guns. They wil probably fercely contest the Italians' advance from the south, but the Abyssinians are ready to deal with a threat to the rear by the northern army.- Heuter's Bulletin Seruice.
UNFOUNDED RUMOURS
Addis Ababa, Apr. 18. Quite unfounded rumours have been circulated by Italy that the Negus is dead or has abdicated and is to be succeeded by his son. Regular daily communication is be- ing maintained with him.
for the present deadlock is due to Abyssinia,
This uneasiness is quite at vari-: ance with the deflant attitude taken up by the popular press. In the political circles mentioned, it is asserted that Italy will partake in the League of Nations session on Monday and will observe the cool attitude maintained in the last few days and refuse to become party to any diplomatic intrigue likely to lead to the prolongation of the war, Adis Ababa. Apr. 18.
which Italy would like to see ended While the Italian northern army
militarily, diplomatically and la consolidating its position at Das- According to a British eye-wit- morally as soon as possible. sie preparatory to a leap upon ness the Crown Prince retired from On the other hand, the circles Addis Ababa, heavy rain is report- Desale when the Italian native referred to seem to believe that the ed to be hampering the Italians in troops. 'entered and took up a Italian attitude at the League the south, despite the Rome re-strong defensive position the Council will accord closely with the ports of heavy fighting ori the mountains.--- Daggah and Modo roads.
EXTRAORDINARY SESSION | OF LEAGUE
("Hong Kong Dally Press" Special)
in au-
Rruler.
1
GENEVA TENSION
RELIEVED
three points announced from Geneva on Thursday night,
Saturday night's
newspapers here discuss the fallure of the Committee of Thirteen's attempt to arrange arbitration and describe this as "a retreat along the whole of the sancilonist front.”
Geneva, April 18. That much of the tension' has
At the same time the papers em- Geneva, Apr. 18. Concerning the extraordinary
disappeared from the atmosphere phasise heavily General Graziant's at the Geneva meeting of the
new advance on the Abyssinian session of the League of Nations Committee of Thirteen is proved southern front. Nothing, it is at on Monday, it is stated
by the brief formal report of Senor serted, can now prevent the Italian thoritive quarters here that it is planned that during the forertoon de Madariaga which stressed that army reaching its final goal so that the Ethiopian representatives were
in a few weeks, at the most, all representatives of both belligerent most anxious to secure a declars- Abyssinia will be under Italian oc- countries will be given the oppor- tunity to address the assembly,
tion from Italy stating the abso-cupation.~-~~ Following. this the League, of Nalute terms of peace, but an hour's Transocean News Service. tions Council will pass the report conference between the representa
tives of the two parties made it
submitted by the Committee of clear that negotiations could not be ARABS AND JEWS CLASH
It is emphasised that the Com-! conducted within the spirit of the
Thirteen,
mittee of Thirteen will not be dis solved, although for the moment there is no special task allotted it.
to be
The second League Council will be held on Monday afternoon to discuss and formulate a concluding motion.— Transocean News Service.
Covenant.
Italy expressed the hope that when Replying to Senor de Madariaga,
the Abyssinian conflict is settled she will be able to resume her
place in the League and collabora- tion with other powers. Reuter
SANCTIONS TO BE MAINTAINED
AT JAFFA
Military Called To Assisi
ba
guns announced his assumption of office.
ASSISTANCE PROMISED
of the
FAILURE OF EFFORTS
Three Conclusions In Report
"Hong Kong Daily Press" Special)
Geneva, Apr. 18.
The session of the Committee of Thirteen that began at 5 o'clock lasted an hour, and passed Senor de Madariaga's report reviewing all efforts made to bring the Italo-" Abyssinian conflict to an end by arbitration.
11
Three chief conclusions stressed in the report are (1) that the Italian proposals were worked out taking into consideration the mill- tary situation; (2) Abyssinia's re- fusal to negotiate except within the framework of the League of Nations; and (3) that in conse- quence of this the Committee of Thirteen are unable to attain any success despite prolonged and strenuous efforts.
As for the poison gas question. the Committee restricted itself to zrceiving a report of the Juristic Committee which was passed on to the belligerents.
A complete report of the Com- mittee of Thirteen wit likewise be sant to both Italy and Abyssinia. and also to the League of Nations Council. Transocean News Service.
י.
POLITICAL SITUATION
DIFFICULTIES
Mr. Baldwin Deals With Various Aspects
HORRORS OF POISON GAS
London, April 18. -
The Prime Minister, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, in a speech at Bewdley said the combination of two events' of first importance during the last few years, pamely the rearming of Germany and attempts to put into play the Covenant of the League of Nations, had made it perfectly plain that an increase in certain arma- ments in this country was absolutely necessary. If Britain was to play her part and tufli her obligations under the League and maintain her position in the world, this step must be taken, and at the last election the Government received a mandate to pro- ceed with rearmament,
Proceeding he said it was felt at the close of the war that im- position of sanctions in order to bring an aggressor instantly to I' book by world pressure would be an easy matter. The League as it existed to-day, however, was not the League that was envisaged when it was created. At least three great powers armed and in- dustrialised were not in the League-the United States of Ameri- ca, Germany and Japan. Their absence made the imposition of sanctions of less forte.
The League of Nations has been "There are allegations of breaches unable to prevent war between bf rules of war on both sides and Italy and Abyssinia. It is true it impartial investigation will be took the prescribed collective steps made at Geneva, but if the allega- In declaring Italy the aggressor tions of the use of poison gas prove. and in imposing certain sanctions true-and we have every reason to But there does not seem yet to be believe that it is so-the peril I effective machinery for stopping say to the world is this. If a great war if one of the artles is deter- European nation, in spite of having mined to go to war and not sub- given its signature to a protocol mit the differences in dispute to against the use of such gases, ent-- discussion and arbitration.
plays them in Africa, what guar- In the second place sanctions are; antee have we that they may not
Europe with
GENERAL STAFF slow in their action. Again sane- be used in Europe?
GATHERING
Press Gleanings Into Talks
London, Apr. 18. The staff talks 'in London main- ly dealt with preventing a German attack through Belgium, according ta reports from Paris,
It is alleged that the Britlab re- quested the Belgians to create a line of defences between Antwerp and Ghent, not composed of forts but arrangements to country, Forts would be built be- flood the
low Ghent and the Belgians wil rapidly construct a line of defence as an extension of the formidable French Maginot Line.
French newspapers understand that the French and British offer- ed to help Belgium to perfect the defence, and British air represen tatives dwelt on the necessity im-
mediately of utilising the Belgian military aerodromes in the event
of a sudden emergency. In the
In the course of a broadcast ad- dress to all people of Tadla, the viceroy said it would be his duty throughout the anxious period ahead of them to tender such counsel as might seem to him to be within meantime further Belgian flying his proper function and calculated
fields will be rapid'y completed." to assist in the discharge
Resiter, responsibilities of citizenship un- der representative Government.
Speaking to tons of newly- enfranchised voters, the Vicero said: "In no circumstances can it be for me to teach you how to vote. Leaders of political parties
whatever name they are known which are competing within. the orbit of constitution, for suffrage of provincial electorates may rely im- plicitly upon me never wittingly
use anguage calculated to pre- Judice their lawful interests."
POISON GAS IN WARFARE
Report Adopted At Geneva
The Committee
Geneva. Apr 18.
of Thirteen more adopted the report prepared by Senor de Madariaga and M. Avenol recording the fact that concilia tion has failed.
Conduding hig speech the Viceroy added: "T"ask na than that you should favour me with the same wholehearted trust that I have promised to extend to you." British Wireless.
I
ADVICE TO YOUNG
The Committee also adopted the report of the Hague experts on the use of poison gas. The docu- New York. Apr. 18.
ment contains Ethiopian allega Lord Linlithgow's broadcast to tlons against the Italians, and the the people of India was character-British document submitted to the ised by human touches, especialy
League. The report was referred when the new Viveroy urged the to the two Governments for ob-
villages and advised the younger District Officers to "know your servations.
Route
generation to fear God, hondur the King Emperor and obey their 'par- ents.
The
RETIRING VICEORE
tions lose a great deal of their its cities more densely populated force unless they can be supported than Abyssinia would suffer far. by the ultimate sanctions by more. blockade or by force. It is diff. cult to see how in the existing membership of the League block- ade would be agreed to by mem- bera forming the League.
ITALIAN ATTACKS
next war would be the end of civili- I have uttered the truth, that the
sation in Europe and that would.. be more certain if the nations of Europe went back on their word and their signatures and, used There is a tendency in regard to poison gases in Europe. I believe League action to single out in-If such a thing were done that dividuals either for praise or blame when war came to end the Instead of regarding the record of raging people of every country torn the League as a result of collective with passion, suffering and horror effort, said the Premier." "I notice would destroy against the wicked- In the Italian press that our For-ness of those m high places." eign Secretary, Mr. Eden, is being STRENGTHENING LEAGUE attacked with lack of restraint which we must regret for what is that in their efforts
- Continuing. Mr. Baldwin sald regarded as anti-Italian policy.
to preserve "There are two misconceptions League was lacking, how it could peace they must eec in what the underlying this attack which I wish be strengthened, how collective to remove. First I want to make It clear beyond all doubt that the what guarantees they could get in security could be obtained arid: policy which the Foreign Secretary Europe that poison gases would a is conducting in this matter is not
not be used, his own personal policy but the considered policy
"But what chance "have we? I of the whole
would not say, the Government, and I would add that
omens are- it is a policy which I am convinced dark in many quartera, but we wholly unfavourable. The sky is
majority of British people." is supported by an overwhelming have the proposals before us, both
Sec-
ondly it is not anti-Italian policy. French and German, to which we Its motive is not defeat or humilia are giving our most serious at- tion of Italy, but support of the tention. It is the first time that Covenant of the League. We want taneously from these two Euro- similar proposals have come amul- the Covenant of the league to be- come the law of the world. That peap powers and who is more: Being our object we are bound to fitted to investigate this question give our whole support to the and try and bring these countries.
its League when
Covenant is together than we?" broken. That is our only motive DICTATORSHIP FERILS in the matter and, it is a motivej "I have said in my time hard which I believe is fully understood things about dictators because I by the rest of the world. If Italy believe that in the long run dicta- thinks that the object of our policy torship might well bring more is to bring about her defeat and hu- perils in its train in future than millation that is a profound mis- those perils it removes, take on her part."
Herr Hitler, dictator in Germany, COLLECTIVE SECURITY
has it in his power to-day from his Referring to collective security position to do more at this moment Mr. Baldwin said: "We are work- to lft that black shadow which is ing for it and shall work for it. hanging over Europe than any We have not yet achieved it and other man living in Europe. we have some way to go before we has it in his power, God grant be He.. ha ret i
Collective security may have the will If he is will- will never work unless all nations ing nothing that this country cam who take part in it are prepared do will be left undone to help him. simultaneously to threaten with military sanctions any futher ag- has the will there is no people in I am convinced that if Herr Hitler gresaton. That means that na-Europe but would co-operate with tions who take part in collective him for their hearts are set an security must be ready,"
peace and they look on war with .POISON GAS USE
horror, The next few months will Referring to use of poison gas id be vital.”— Abyssinia, the Premier sald: British Wareteis
FREQUENT FIRES IN POLAND
LINER QUEEN MARY'S SPEED TRIALS
Communists Suspected
London, April 18. The liner, Queen Mary began her ("Hong Kong Daily Press Special) attained an average speed in two speed trials off Isle of Arran' and. Warsaw, Apr. 19. tests of 30.4 30 knots, while Fires have been breaking out in an unofficial examate with tuning: various parts of Poland in the last apparatus put the speed of one few days with such frequency that trial at 32.84 kreta ARA the authorities strongly suspect The fuel consumption and brake: Communist activity since this met horsepower of each sixteen tur hod of attracting attention has in bines were also tested. the past frequently been used in The liner threw back a huger Poland...
kawash which broke on the foreshore In the amall town at Kozangrodek miles distant.
DE. MELLYS REPORT
London, Aprili 18. The Britian Red Cross headquar Lord Linlithgow emphasised that the Viceroy is strictly impartia ters in London received a report Jerusalem, April 19.
and promised full support to the British Red Cross unit at Quoram from Dr. Melly, commander of the A serious situation has developed Service and Crown to which he which was bombed by the Italians, at Jaffa where Arab and Jeguly xtended greetings.
stating that the planes now low clashes necessitated police baton charges.
and encircled the encampment Tds reported that some shots Viceroy met for a few hours at
retiring and Incoming several times before opening fire, were fired resulting in several
The Red Cross Hospital was deaths. The military had to
Bombay Lord and Lady Wiling-plainly marked and situated on called in to assist.-
don, after a round of farewell open ground and there were no Router
functions at New Delhi, which in- Abyssinian soldiers or artillery cluded a magnificent banquet by nearby, 37 Ruling Princes, arrived at Bom- The report added that the Red bay just before the arrival of the Cross treated many cases of mus drastic differences in Genera at a P.&O. liner Btrathmore, with the tard gas poisoning, mostly among
'me when every effort is being Marquess and Marchioness of Lin-women and children. made to secure manimity, lithgow aboard
A special in Polesla 130 dwelling houses It's umcially stated that the elecIt is felt that the existing sane and Lady Willingdon sail-unen, was per the car Saturday morning About the Router.
dreading station was placed hear were burns to the ground early on trials were in every way, successi 'May 11 and inviting it to send a There is a strong feeling that tions are not effective but that ed to-day on the same ship as casualties were blinded and unable same time ten houses at Luminfec delegate as well an interested all sanctions, ir appled now, they are having a considerable brought Lord Wingdon's succes to reach the distance to the Red were destroyed by Are before the were destroyed; in other parties.
could not have any immediate cumulative effect.— Reyler.
LEAGUE INVITATION "
TO GERMANY
British Impressions
Geneva, April 18.
.London. Apr 18. The Secretary General of the The general impression. In British League, M Avenol, has informed circles is that the existing sanc- the German Government that the tions will be maiztaned, at any Locarno question will come before | rate until after the French elec- the Connell at the next session on tions,
practical effect, but might causal Heater,
tor to India.
Router
Cross mit
Reuter's Bulletin Serusce
conflagration could be extinguis ed. Numerous individual hotiens
uring the week-end.
an News Service,