1935-10-17 — Page 9

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1935.

ETHIOPIANS MASS TROOPS TO RECAPTURE AKSUM

"Holy War"

Decision

WAR MINISTER LEADING

THE ARMY

Ogaden Counter - Attack

(Special to the "Hong Kong Walls Press") Telegraph,Copyrighi. Ta grưphic Mage Ordinance, Breived, October 16, 7:30 pon)

(Hy

Addis Ababa, Oct. 16:

The proclamation of “holy war" with the object of recap- turing the holy city of Aksum, is reported here to have been decided by Negus in the course of an audience granted by him to Abuna, the supreme bead of the Copile Church.

An Abyssinian offensive is stated to have already begun in the north west of Aksum near the river Setit. on the Eritrean border whither reinforcements consisting "of 50,000 picked troops' are hurrying under the command of War Minister Mulugueta.

The Commander-in-Chief of the southern front, General Nassibu, whose headquarters, are in the town of Jijiga, has order- ed a general counter-attack in the province of Ogaden, and ac- cording to despatches here severe fighting has already begun which has brought the Italian advance on Jijiga and Harrar to a standstill-Transocean Kuo Min.

Addis Ababa. Oct. 16.

reinforcements from the south

No actions of any importance ] but that he is still refusing to give were reported from the Eritrea battle and is retiring towards front with the exception of a few

Makale. bombs dropped by Italian planes on the Abyssinian`lines, without however. It is stated here. doing any considerable damage.

Great activity is being displayed in the Abyssinian positions behind the scuthern front, and, it is re- ported that a great offensive, ts being planned before the Italians receive their, reinforcements, re- quired for their protected drive. Transoran Kun Min,

THE WAR FRONTS

London, Oct. 18.

The position on the Northern front in Abyssinia is that the Italans occupy Adowa, Adlgrat and Aksum, maintaining line seventy miles long Joining these places, while advance guards have progressed far on the road to Ma- kole, the next objective.

Meanwhile Ras Seyoum has con- centrated his troops south of Ak suin reportedly with the intention En attempt recapture of the city.

Communications between, the

front and Addis Ababa are very difficult. The aeroplane is the only means of travel and therefore cir cumstances are ideal for ramours.

not The Abyssinians have

yet engaged in any pitched battle and have contented themselves by slowly retreating with small bands and harassing the Italian advance guards. Evidently their intention ly to avoid an open battle until a favourable moment.

The position in the southern front is very obscure. Fighting

appears to have occurred round

Walwal and Gergolubi, both sides now reported to be preparing to attack.- leuter."

]]

Ras Seyyour is co-operating with Ras Kassa whose troops have crossed the river Takaze and are now concentrating near Olarisiga. according to news from a reliable source.

Takase lies west of Aksum, and

therefore the presence of a large Ehioplan force threatens the Itellan right flank in the event of column attempting to push an o Mukale.- Bruter.

ATTACK PLANNED

1

Rome. October 15. News has been received from Aksum "that Ras Seyyoum is pre- paring to attack the Italian right flank with several thousand men. His object is to retake the city of Aksum, Italian newspapers report.

Attempts of the Ethiopians' to cross, the Setit River are said to have been repulsed with heavy losses.

PLANE FIRED AT

It is learned here that Bruno Mussolini, son of Il Duce, had a narrow escape while flying over. Makale. Four bullets bit his plane.

!

Bruno was uninjured and re- turned to the aerodrome behind the Italian Unes safely.-

Henter.

PEACE PROPOSALS

Rome, October 15, It is officially stated that no peace proposals were made by either side, during conversations between M. Pierre Laval, the French Prime Minister yesterday, and Signor Cerutti; the Italian Ambassador at Paris, according to an official spokesman.

ENTRY INTO AKSUM

Reuter was informed by this Rome, Oct. 16.

spokesman that "we do not con- A despatch from the Italian sider this to be a time to discuss Army of Asmara states that troops

a settlement, while sanctions are entering Aksum found A huge being considered at Geneva and store of grain collected for military the atmosphere is one of intimida- use by the Abyssinians. General de

tion against Italy. Bona ordered it to be distributed among the people who received it Joyfully.

"We consider the friendly att- tude of the people of the occupied territory in Ethiopia to be com- plete justification of our policy. We are just going to go ahead."-___

ATTITUDE OF GREECE

Statement By The Premier

Special to the "Hong Kong Dally Press" (Copyright).1

Athens, Oct 10. ' The Greek Premier, General Kondylis stressed the importan reciprocal and economic interests between Greece and Germany for which he professed great admiru- tion, in the course of anda.erview given to a representative of a Ger- man news agency. It was bis de- sire, added the Premier, to pro- te the imports of German in- dustrial goods to Greece.

Turning to the new Govern- ment's foreign policy Kondylls emphasised his determination te

and maintain

further promote friendller relations with all the neighbouring s.ates. These were assured in the case of Turkey and' Rumania by the Balkan Union, and every effort would be made to arrive at an amicab.c settlement of the questions still at issue with Bulgaria and Albania.

Greece has also desired to con- tinue friendly relations with Italy, o which she is bound by many ties, and this attitude would not

WAVERING ATTITUDE

OF FRANCE

Geneva Fears. British Naval Action

(Special to "Hong Kong Dally. Press")

y Telegraph, Copyright, Telegraphic Messager Ordinance, 1993. linceived, fletuber 16. 7:30 p.m.)

Geneva. Oct. 16:

Fears are expressed here that Britain will proceed to Djockade italy Winout auriver ado, xince too much time has been lost in applying the sanctions, and because of the change of attitude by the French delegation here.

||

At the commencement of the deliberations of the Co-ordi nating Committee and its various sub-committees," the Frenc delegates attempted to exert a retarding influence on the pro- coedings, and now they are displaying a speedy and effective action being taken.

ZERIOUS

interest in

Laval had

A report was circulated on Tuesday that M. demanded a ten-day interval in the sanctions proceedings in view of his attempt to bring about a renewal of Three-Power negotiations, tous hardly needing à definite denial by French » League circles,

*

Although A. Laval's last move is attracting much at tention here, nobody believes for a moment that there is any prospect for its success.

of

The French Premier. It is stated, made no proposals or his own but merely urged Signor Mussolini to inform him or his be altered. by the fact of being minimum conditions in the hope übliged as a League member to that they might provide basis participate in the sanctions,

for negotiations acceptable to The Government's immediat: Britain. He warned Il Duce task lay in the reorganisation of the dangers attending the сод the state in the form fitted by the tinuance of the Abyssinian con- present day conditions, and taking | filct measures for maintenance of the conservadve regimes, as well as in- "creasing the armaments.—

Pransessie Kuo Min.

SILVER MARKET

(from. Our Own Correspondent;

London, Oct." 16. London Silver prices to-day wère unchanged for Spit and down 1/15 for Forward as follow:-

Oct 15 Oct. 16 Spot .......

29-3/8 29-3/8 Forward... 29-7/15 29-3/8

London on New York cross-rate at 2 p.m. to-day was 4.9081 com- pared with 4.3062 at closing yes- terday.

JUSTPEPPIESELEBUTTETTEFD

SOME COMMENT ON GLASGOW SPEECH

Special to the "Hong Kong Daily Press (Copyright).]

<

reaction

When informing Britain of his action. Laval asked for a period of ten days for carrying it to a conclusion, but the British Gov- ernment, it is stated, is under.

have stood to

scipulated that Mussolini must Signor

give his answer before Friday at the lates..

14

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Courvois

DODWELL & CO., LTD.

Tel. 20836.

Sole Agents.

MARSHAL BADOGLIO

AT ASMARA

(Special to the Hong Kong Dally Press" (Copyright).1 FLEET CONCENTRATION

Asmara, Oct. 15. It is pointed out that the Fleet The Italian chief of Staff, Field was concentrated in the Mediter-Marshal Badoglic arrived at ranean before the League applied Asmara. on Tuesday and imme Article sixteen. The question of reduction therefore is a matter for Britain alone to decide. It is stated that there is no question of an interview affecting Anglo- French relations "which are very close and it is recognised that M. Laval is anxious for an early termination of the war- Reiter.

* MR. EDEN'S PROPOSAL

Geneva, October 18. The text of Mr. Elen's proposal on embargo on Italian exports states that the governments will prohibit importation of all goods consigned to, produced or manu- in Italy and Itatan

possessions,

At the same time the British Government demanded that in the even of a blockade being forced,factured France should put all her Medi- terranean naval ports at Eng- land's disposal particularly Bi- zerta and Ajaccio on Corsica.- Transocean Fun Man

M

11

• Existing contracts will not be excepted from the embargo, but goods en route will be except ed similarly to

personal bɛ- longings of travellers from Italy

diately went to the Italian head- quarters from where he will pro- ceed to the front.

Queen's Building.

ÈTHIOPIAN MINISTER'S

STATEMENT

་

Special to the Hong Kong Daib

Pres" (Copyright),】

Brussels, Oct. 15. "Abyssinia can hold out, if we have to. for fifteen years if neces- Sary, and victory will be her's in the end" declared Tekle Havariate to pressmen in the Belgian capi- tal, where he is staying at present It is understood that the in- before returning to Abyssinia in activity of the last few days" in the į order to take active army com- North front was due to Badoglio's mand in preference to represent- desire to inspect the situationing his country at Geneva. before further operations were taken.

Informed "quarters bere consider that his arrival, may be the signal for a renewed Italian offensive in Kattowitz.

The negotiations between Italy and Abyssinia under the present circumstance were impossible, he continued, as the talláns murk first completely withdraw from the occupied territories.

One month's gapl and costs Abyssinia's former minister in without the option of a fine was Farts then expressad satisfac-: the penalty meted out to Puste- tion at the raising of the embargo lulk, the editor responsible for the on munitions to Abyssinia by the sensationalist paper, "Polenta," who Belgian Government; which had appeared in Court for the third enabled the Abyssinians to reduce time, charged with publishing and the disparity between the Italian shamelessly insulting the carica-¡ and their own armament to some ture of the German Chancellor in extent. It is assumed that the this case in the issue of May 28. purpose of Hawariate's visit there, The Court confirmed the order of 1 to place orders with the Bel- the confiscation of the whole issue gian armament firms- of the paper in which the objec- Transocean Ruo Min. tional matter occurred and re-

and Italian, possessions.

Italian products of which 25 per❘ used the release lent, value has been added by the coples.- processes of other countries will be exempted,

WAHNING TO FRANCE

Paris, Oct. 18. Laval's allegedly dillatory attitude regarding the sanctions is creating considerable dissatis- faction in British official circles

foreign

cent. editors according to the of "roeuvre" and "Echo de destined Paris," Mcdami Tabouls and Per- Limax. who both report from Geneva that League circles affirm that 'Mr. Laval, in the course of his prolonged interview with the British Ambassador

Par.5. repiled evasively to the question of whether France is prepared to fulfil her obligations under the League Covenant in, the event of allan aggression against Bri-

tam

בן

to

en-

Mr. Eden remarked that 70 per of Italian, exports are League countries. Although Italy has been' deavouring.to reduce imports of luxuries, there has been a constant the drain of gåd reserves and value of the lira was "constantly Jalling.

Continuation of war was bound to reduce the purchasing power of

Italy and an additional embargo

would affect her gold resources

Mr. Eden's proposal which was submitted to the economic sub- was supported by committee Rumania

and Sweden Russia, Türkey without opposition---

M. Laval is said to have con- tented himself with promising to study this problem" and to have Reuter. urged the British Government to put an end to "mobilisation fr the Mediterranean."

Rome, t. 12. Mr. Neville Chamberlain's Glas- sow speech, produced a forcible on all sections of the Italian press. Mr. Chamberlain's hint, that one should not nurse any illusions about the duration of the crisis because the world stands at the beginning and not at the end of the conflet, and that a subsequent development of the crisis might assume a somewhat grave character was interpreted by Lavoro Fascista, in that one prepared for the pro- must be clamation of 1 blockade which would inevitably result in war.

This paper regards Mr. Cham-satisfac.arily meet berlain's declaration that the pectations, and he goes on to British Government must do polat out that the exist.ng diver- everything to preserve peace for gencies between the two countries humanity" 38 nothing but "a may en:23 disagreeable conse- sentimental appeal to the old quences for France in the future. women of both sexes" who hate

The British delegation at war and love a quiet life in a Geneva, so Pertinax adds, is re- the King of Italy on Monday, golden home and are convinced sclved to have the sanctions con- states a report from

the front, that the great European war was cerning Italy's export trade ap- Issued by the propaganda minis the last of all the great conflicts.

proved by the League at the try on Tuesday. He then reviewed

In reality, economic interests of la'est, next Saturday, if necessary

whereby. according to Pertinax,

Troops entered Aksum' without firing a shot after first surround- ing it. The occupation force con- Reuter. sisted of six battalions, the third naval brigade, with three batteries

of artillery and one squadron of light tanks.

ADOWA ANNEXED

Rome, Oct. 16. Adowa and the surrounding re- The aerodrome in the vicinity of gion, was formally annexed by the city will be converted into a

General De Bono in the name of major air base.

Other chiefs in Entiscio and Adowa sectors, some of whom are under Ras Seyoum's orders, are reported to have submitted them- selves to the Italians- Reuter

AIR BOMBING

Diredawa, Oct. 18. Italian white troops estimated at about 10,000 ure being transferred from Italien Somaliland to Eritrea, according to reports from Ogaden where' considerable activity is going on.

Pertinax states that the French Government's attitude does not

British

ex-

the Gavinana division, afterwards the great British capitalist class in the teeth of French oppositon addressing the Abyssinian Inhablare behind the Government, but tants who had assembled in & the British people must reflect strength of four thousand.

3.5

UNITY OR SEPARATION

Paris, October 15, The "Paris Soir" publishes an interview which the journalist Bertrand de Jouvenel had with the 'British former Foreign Minister, Sir Austen Chamberlain, which comes almost at the same time as the Glasgow speech of the Chan- cellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, which has attracted wide attention."

Str Austen Chamberlain's ut- terance carries great weight here because he has

been always staunchly pro-French, hence the blunt statement that France must at the present juncture carry out her obligations has created a pro-

"We" are surprised and mortified by the manifest tardiness and egoistic deliberations which seem to characterise the attitude of France in this matter," anys Bir Austen Chamberlain.

that it will stand alone or almo/Britain is assured of the support found impression here. report continues, so when after the economic sanc-League and Boviet Russia- Flanes, the made various reconnalsance flights tions collapse ke u house of British Govern- south of Makale, in the course of cards, and the

blockade which they dispersed detachments ment proceeds to of Abyssinian troops 'who were a trump card.- marching northwards and bombed a camp of about 300 tents on the northern slopes of Amba Alapias as well as the ammunition depot In Belmarian, which in conse- quence was blown up. Numbers

Italian planes are reported, to have dropped 300 bombs wh'ch killed five and wounded 20 Abys- sinians in raids at Tafar and

of natives in the western plains Khatama,' small towns in Ogaden.

Two of the planes are reported subjected themselves to the Italian

to have made forced landings in Abyssinian territory. The pilots, who were not hurt. were captured -Reuter

RAS SEYQUM ACTIVE

Addis Ababa, Oct. 15, It is unofficially reported that Ras Seyyoum, the Ethiopians' northern commander, has received

Pennarena Run Min.

ITALIAN ARRIVES WITH LARGE FORTUNE

of the Little Entente, 'he Balkan

Trankoczna Run an

ANGLO-FRENCH TALK

London, Oct. 16, It is learnt that M. Laval in 'an

"It is not a question of knowing interview with the British Am- whether the source of the Nile bassador on October 14 raised the will remain in safety, but whether point whether the situation will be a new set cf international relation- improved by a réduction of British ships will perish or live. forces to more normal strength

League of Nations and also referred to Signor Musso- covenant triumphs, them a pre- Unguarded and accompanied by lint's suggestion in an interview cedent will be established which his wife and three children, E-with a French journalist that the will determine Britain's policy in the press to the announcement of gineer Bussoti, the last Italian Italian forces in Libya might also

the future: If however, other the annexation ot the Adowa private citizen in Abyssinia reach-

signatories of the League of cisirlet, which it is pointed out, eg here with 130 lbs. of platinum

Nations covenant do not carry out is now part and parcel of Italy valued at £13,000. He made a The Ambassador gave no direct their duty at this decisive hour. and therefore is excluded from fortnight's mule trek from Wollega reply on behalf of the British then Britain will consider herself the discussion in the eventual to the capital. He has since, left Government, but it is thought free from all her obligations in peace negotiations-

Italy via the Djibouti Railway.-

possible that the matter might be Europe. Traineen Rua Mta:

Kouter.

considered by the Cabinet.

authorities.

Great prominence is given in

Addis Ababa, Oct. 16,

be reduced.

II the

Tranineran Krio Men

Pennantens Kuo Mum!

existing

MAJOR FISKE SENT TO ROME

..

ROME PRECAUTIONS

Special to the Hong Kong Barry Press 'onyright).}

Rome, Oct. 15. The British Consulate and bus.... mess premises of the branch office of Barclay's Bank and the British Book Shop on the Piazza Di Spagna was placed under protection of a strong detachment of police, ba cause of the threatening attitude-

by demonstrators. The measures taken for the protection: o the British Embassy are stil! maintained but the guard is of £ less conspicuous form. The homes and the persons of the Embassy staff

Washington, Oct. 1.. Major Norman Fiske has been appointed Assistant · Miktary At- tache to the United States E- bassy in Rome. He is leaving to ceeding via Paris. take up the post to-morrow, pro- | taken

It is understood that Major Fiske will proceed to Ethiopia with the Talian armies as an observer to accompany "the Bailan forces. Major Fiske is a graduate of an Hallan Cavalry School.— Reuter.

are under the guard secret Pollee.— l'insocean Kuo Min

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