1935-10-18 — Page 9

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1935.

RAS SEYOUM PREPARING TO ATTACK NEAR AKSUM

Strength Weakened By Desertions

NO COUNTER-OFFENSIVE IN THE SOUTH

ty

Received,

Ethiopians To Await Enemy Attacks

Special to the "Hong Kong Daily Press"). Telehough, Copyright, Telegraphic Mensages falinauer, 1901. taber 17. 13 p.)

Addis Ababa, October 17.

All reports of the alleged Abyssinian Counter - offensives either in the southern or northern fronts are denied by in- formed quarters here which stress that the Abyssinian troops for military reasons are unable to take the offensive and that the mlitary leaders have received striet Instructions to assume no risks. It is added that the task of the Abyssinian armies is to defend their country and to await the enemy's attacks.

Government circles. however. admit that information from the northern frpat is very meagre and the Emperor himself is not in a position to form an exact idea of the situation there

as Ras Gugya, before joining the Italians, apparently cut the only telephone wire connecting Makale with Addis Ababa.

It is reported from Rome that the Abyssinian northern army under Ras Seyum is concentrating in Gongura valley pre- paring to attack the Italian right wing near Aksum accord- Ing to despatches from Adowa.

Ras Seyum's forces are said to be greatly weakened by numerous desertions which are estimated to amount to more than 10,000 men. Many of these deserters have been incor- porated into the Italian Army, but some 5,000 bave not yet been taken over since their loyalty appears to be doubtful.—Trans- ocean Kuo Min.

ti

BARBARIC ENTHUSIASM

Addis Ababa. Oct 17. Extraordinary scenes of barbari enthusiasm were witnessed at the review of 50.000 troops, including the

armed undisciplined and

ferce Gofa tribe.

Many of the warriors 01

this tribe worked themselves into a frenay and cilmbed on the Emper- or's throne. The po.Ice used staves freely in order to discour. age an cmbarassing display Royalty.

HOMAGE OF PRIESTS

Rome. Oct. 17.

Despatches from Adowa state that a great Impression has been created by General de Bono re- celving the homage of chiefs and clergy in the province of Agame.

At Adigrat he entered the chief Coptic Church where he knelt in prayer and kissed the ivory cross before the altar. He told the chiefs and priests that Italy had decided on the occupation of Tigre in order to make it, a rich and faithful Italian province,

In the course of attempting t subdue these unruly warriors numerous free fights took place.

The Italians have already begun The troops during the march

Ras Seyum's to replan Adow past showed a queer mixture of palace will be demolished to make good temper and anger. Many

room for an open space in the were trampled in the meices and

centre of the town. scores of riders were thrown from bucking mules- acuter.

Plans for the next advance re

ABROGATION OF MEDITERRANEAN FLEET

LOCARNO PACT

Animated Press Discussion

(Special to "Hong Kong

Daily Press”) `..

By Telegraph, Copyright, Tele graphie Mersages Ordinance. 1894. Recried, Octuber 17. §. p.m.)

Berlin, October 17.

An animated discussion has been started in the British and French press by Sir Austen Chamberlain's declarations in the "Paris Soir" paralleled by the editorial com- ments in the German press be. cause Britain's ex-foreign minister, who is one of the authors of the Locarno Treaty, which virtually affects German interests strongly. now suggests its abrogation.

Berliner Tageblatt" writes: "We { quite understand

that at the present moment England is exert- ing herself to convince the French ..public that the French Govern- ment must go to the utmost extremities to support the British polley. We understand also that the perpetually vacillating or hcstile attitude in the Paris press causes much uneasiness in London. "But Sir Austen Chamberlain' Is. when all is said and done, one of the originators of the Locarno.

Treaty.

"How is it then possible that be should tell the correspondent of the "Paris Soir" threateningly that France w.uld not be able any longer to depend on England in

case of a conflict with Germany

unless it now drops her friend-

ship with Italy, and goes the whole way with England in the applica

tion of sanctions?"

WITHDRAWAL

French Proposal Rejected By Britain

London, October 17

The British Ambassador in Paris, Sir George Clerk, had a further interview with M. Laval last night and communicated to him the views of the British Government In regard to the question raised by M. Laval in an interview on Tuesday as to whether the British Government would be prepared to withdraw from the Mediterranean such naval forces as were in

CXCESS

of norma footing. The French Premier had suggested that on the part of Italy such a resture by Britain should be met by. withdrawal of additional Italian forces sent to Libya. The terms of the Brit'sh reply to this enquiry are not published. "The main considerations which prompted Britain" to rein- force the Mediterranean Fleet remain unchanged., Reinforce- ments were sent to the Mediterranean as a precautionary mea- sure in view of the threatening anti-British tone of the Italian press and this s'tuation continues, In the meanwhle Libya forces have been strengthened. Newspapers state that the pro- posal in the form in which it was made has in these 'circum- stances been rejected by the British Government.

It is understood that the British Ambassador at his interview repeated the demand for an unconditional assurance that France would fulfil in their entirely the obligations assumed by all members of the League under paragraph three of Article 16 of the covenant. This provides that all League members "will mutually support one another in resisting special men- sures aimed at one of their number by a covenant-breaking state."-British Wireless.

LAVAL MAY NOT SUCCEED

Paris, Oct. 18...

A FEELER

London, Oct. 18. The British Ambassador. Bir Is Britain agreeable to the sug Georg. Clerk, "has communicatedges on that she reduce her re- to M. Minister, the British Government's the Mediterranean to

Pierre Laval, the Primecently increased naval power in normal it

GORDONS

DRY GIN

DISTILLE LONDO

if it's

Gordon's

GIN

you know what you're drinking

NO COLOURING MATTER

NO INJURIOUS INGREDIENTS

WHITEST

PUREST

&BEST

The Largest Gin Distillers in the World'

DARDANELLES MAY

BE CLOSED

11

By Telegraph, Copyright, Taie

Ordinance. decision to give a qualified "non Italy similarly reduces her swol-graphic Messages

1801. possumus" to M. Laval's suggesien military strength in Libya? Received, October 17, 1.56 p.m.)

on that units of Great Britain's A decision on this feeler, put by

Paris, October 17. Home Fleet should be withdrawn M. Pierre Laval to the British

The Turkish Government has from the Mediterranean Sea...

Ambassador in Paris, on Monday. aiready taken steps to close the Just previous to the receipt of as a preliminary to possible peace Dardanelles completely within six

Mtalks, was reached by the Cabinet

hours should the necessity arise [o-day,

reports "Intransigeant " The Cabine's answer will be Mines will be laid so as to block

*

the British communication. Laval received the Italian Am- bassador, Signor Vittorio Cerrutii. whe, according to an unconfirmer communicated to M. Laval off the passage, but a

report de.ivered a the

'CURIOUS LIGHT "Si Austen Chamberlain 15 highly esteemed in France and it " is really a service to the world that he has sald so plainly what is a this moment actually at stake between the two ecuatries, But it throws a curious light on thinking of certain very induen- tial circles in England friendly, to the League of Nations that Sir Austen Chamberlain for his Own person denounces in this manrier the Treaty of Locarno a5 far France is concerned.

₹५

"Sir Austen Chamberlain des- trays the treaty by making its validity for England depend upon the fulfiment of such conditions. Hp shakes the confidence in prin ciple of the sanctity of treaties which is the very reason advanced by England for intertering in the Abyssinian conflict.”...-

to be drawn up immediately at Transocenu uo in

Adowa where the Chief of Staff, Marshal Badoglio has arrived to confer with General de Bono,-- Reuter

RAS ELEVATED

Rome, Oct, 17.- General de Bono has nominat. ed Ras Gugsa. who recently went over to the Italians. Ras of Tigre province in the name of the King of Italy.

CAVALRY ON MOVE

Jibuti, Oct. 17. Abyssinian cavalry detachments have been advancing in the course of the pust

few days in the vicinity of the Italian positions near Mount Mussa All according to reports from French airmen who undertake dalty reconnoitring flights along the border of French Somaliland; The reports further state that Abyssinian forces are

A communique reports there marching southwards along the

has been no change in the Eri- Eritrean frontier with the object trean and Somaliland fronts and of cutting off communications mentions that Italian aerial ac- between the Italian posti:ns of tivity continues. Mussa Ali and Assab, but no

Reuter, clashes on a big scale appear as yet to have taken place.

J Kyai Man

FREEBOOTERS REPULSED

ENCAMPED AT CAPITAL

SEARÁLÓDALA

SILVER MARKET

(From Our Own Correspondent)

London, Oct. 17. London Silver prices to-day were down 1/15 as follow:-

Spot. Forward

Oct. 16 29-3/8 29-3/8

Oct. 1 29-5/16 29-5, 15 London on New York cross-rate at 2 p.m. to-day was 4.9187 com- pared with 4.9100 at closing yes terday.

GUARANTEE AGAINST AIR BOMBING

constructive cia ly to-night. “

Some dication of the nature reply from Signor Benito Musso- lini 10 M. Laval's sounding on of the reply, which in the mean- peare possibilities,

time has not been published, is It is understood Sir George afforded by London's official view Clerk told M. Laval that the that the situation is not improved British Government could

not by the uninterrupted flow of troops consider reducing the. British to Libya, naval strength in the Mediterra: It is believed, however, that M near unless equivalent protection Laval made other suggestions for were offered by France.

a. peace formula which are being The conclusion of the conver-closely guarded.- sations between M. Layal and SirReuter. George Clerk were not revealer but it is thought that M. Laval.

In

order to secure a trump card

negotiations with Sigan Mussolini, may promise the French fleet's aid to Briain in the event of aggression against His Majes- ty's possessions in the Mediter-

rancar

The prospects of M. Laval sue- ceeding in his work of conefliation is nevertheless considered remot by well-informed circles. Reuter

NAVAL FORCES:

London, Oct. 16.

It is stated in London that the report in circulation to the effect that the question of naval forces in the Mediterranean, was, men- tioned in the 'course of an inter- view yesterday between the Res tish Ambassador in Paris, Sir

and George Clerk,

the French Fremier M. Lava., is correct.

RUMANIA AGREES

the

Geneva; Oct. 16. Rumania will agree British proposals in any circums tances, whether the question of mutual support and compensation is favourably decided upon or not, declared M. Nicholas Titulescu, the Rumanian spekesman at Geneva and Minister for Foreign Affairs to-day, 'addressing a meet- log ΟΙ the Mutual Assistance Committee.

narrow

through will be left for the mer- cantile vesse's. Should however Turkey, be threatened by any. foreign power, this channel would

be closed to),

Fransocean Kuo Min.

CAMELS IN DEMAND

Berbera, Oct. 16. The Kalians are buying burden camels in British Somaliland and a ship has left with 250 of these animals for Massowa, and will return for more.-euter.

neither was there any active op position displayed. Some of the delega.es among whom were swit zerland and Spain made reserva- tans, and the Polish delegate an- way nounced that he would make a sumed that the resolution will he statement" but it is generally as- adopted on Friday. The smooth progress of the sub-committee's labours was considerably impeded by the fact that a large number of the delegates displayed an unusual ignorance on the questions of im- port and export to the exaspera- tion of those who are acknowled- ged experts of this field. Transocean Ano Ho

Meanwhile, Mr. Anthony Eden's suggestion for a general embargo against Itailan exports is meeting with almost universal irom

support

the Little Entente,

the Balkan States and the Scandina- vian countries. Russia, *too, strongly favours the proposal.— Reuter.

I

EMBARGO LIST APPROVED

Geneva, Oct. 16. The plenary exordinating com- mittee, adopted the supplemented STUDYING THINGS

Hist of war materials drawn up Washington, Oct. 16.

by a sub-committee of miltary The admission that the League experts for prohibition to Italy in .embargo on exports of certain the public session of Wednesday raw materials to Italy might be evening. ineffective if the United States The Hungarian delegate ab did not participate, was

made stained from voting while the to-day by Mr. Daniel C. Roper, Swiss delegate, Motta pointed out. the Secre'ary of Commerce.

that chemical and incendiary wea- He Bald that the Government pops had already been prohibited The Committee of Eighteen had not yet studied the matter by the international law, and adopted the report of

the sub-closely enough to warrant any therefore, should not be supplied! Committee of Jurists with regard statement of its attitude.

to Abyssinia either. The to the question whether constitu- "We are simply sudying things ference also adopted the resolu tional difficulties could be evoked and preparing for any action that tion submitted by the sub-com- as a reason for non-application may be necessary."—

mittee of jurists which emphaats- or for application of sanctions,

Beuter.

ed the importance of the mea- The jurists reported that" every

sures proposed by the conference: member of the League was bound

being rapidly and effectively car by Article XVI and it was the

ried out by all the member states. duty of each to adopt rapidly all that an absolute ban be imposed Tranica Auo Min dispositions for the application of | on all Italian exports, when he RECIPROCAL ASSISTANCE sanctions."

Geneva, Oct. 18, At Wednesday's session of the so-called "compensations," the

COMPLETE BAN

Geneva, Oct. 16, Mr. Anthony Eden demanded

spoke at the economic sub-com-

com*-*

Addis Ababa, Oct. 16,

I is understood the object of One hundred thousand troops

what was said, which arose in the The Argentina consequently mitte's session on Wednesday. A Asmara, Oct. 17. are at present encamped in and

Addis Ababa, Oct. 16. Italy wil give no promise not Ambassador,

course of a general review of the withdrew its reservallons. The Abyssinian freebbooters who around this city. The plains are

British draft of the resolution has 919. to ascertain to bombard the unfortified towns whether

The Committee also adopted the following text "Governments sub-committee, whose task is to attempted to cross the river Setft covered with a swarm of tents.

the situation would be the report have been repulsed with heavy in the midst

of the Millary sub- of member states will prohibit the make the proposals for reciprocat of which crowd according to an official Abyssinian Improved by a reduction of the Committee, losses according to a report issued thousands of women and chil- announcement, but indicated her British forces to a strength nearer Roosevelt's

adding to President imporation into their territories of assistance of the League of Na- by the Itian headquarters here, dren, who, with servants, are ac-

list of willingness to guarantee to some to that obtaining before precau

arms and all goods (with the exception of tions member states during the which

munitions to be placed under an adde

measure protection to the Europe-

gold, silver, that

bulion unfavourable companying the warriere,

and coins). period of application tionary measures were taken in embargo, all gases and apparatus" whether they are

of the weather 15 preventing the progress There was a striking incident ans living here. The neutral zone

industrial or economic sanctions, the the face of the provocative atti- for chemical or incendiary war-agricultral products, which, come matters discussed, are set forth in chier of operations on

will the southern to-day when a woman riding a

therefore be established at tude of the Tallan press. Some fare front.

one of the magnificent white mule arrived at Diredaka

from Italy or Italian possessions a statement issued by the League most im-reference, it is believed. was made Despatches received hère report the Royal Palace accompanied by

portant stations on the French

Bubsequently a public session | and no matter from what piace or Nations Secretariat and com- uprisings in the Abyssinian pro a hundred retainers and demand-

Company's line from Djibuti to bued to the head of the Italian adopted both reports—

to the suggestion, originaly attri-of the Co-Ordinating Committee such goods are despatched.

prise (1) to reflex the effects cf. vince of Godjam, north west of ea arms and ammunition before

Addis Ababa.

Products from Iely or Italian denunciation of the trade trea-. Government, which connected the Reuter Addis Ababa.

The French This

possessions, which Government, it is! is proceeding to the front.

ате unrest

Bhe 1s

partly ties with Italy and based on the. understood secured Italy's agree- Italian reinforcements in Libya.

question with the reduction of ascribed to the dismissal of the leading her warriors into action.

manufactured or processed in an- most favoured nation and prin- former governor of the province,

ment to respect this area where

other country, are also included in ciple, (2), the possibilities It is reported that the Italians Ras Allu, and to the czder of

800 foreigners live. The

this prohibtiion, unless at least promoting trade, after breaking have invested Makale and that

mittee mobilisation published by his suc-

25% of their value at the time of off two Italian aeroplanes flew over

commercial relations with.. cessor Ras Imiru who is loyal to the Djibouti-Addis Ababa Railway the Emperor. The order has been in the neighbourhood of Ardem allegedly disregarded

the and Bicket. police are said to be endeavouring

to enforce it

Transavený Kue Min

and

HEAVY RAIN

Berlin, Oct. 17.

tans

com-

and

A FINAL ATTEMPT The matter was merely touched

Geneva, Oct. 18. M. Pierre Laval's 1stext, on in a general conversation, and which is composed of Abyssinian officials and members is stated that the suggestion perhaps his final attempt, to of the diplomatic corps, will de-

that M. Laval had proposed terms a basis for conciliation in the part for Diredawa this week, in of settlement in this or any other Italo-Ethiopian dispute is order to define the boundaries of

connection is untrue. Tncidental-

doomed to failure, according to

fore-

leaving the last place of despatch Italy, between the countries ap outside Italy, which 18

due to plying the sanctions, (3), the such finishing process in the other possibilties of promoting ex country. Goods, which are On the southern front the Ital- the neutral zone. The French, a Paris press message reports League of Nations circles. There- present being supplied under the these countries to the detriment at change of merchandise between are reportedly continuing Minister here visited the former that M. Laval himself denied to- fora there 18 no Lendency to

existing agreements, are not ex- of those states that do not apply their advance up the valley Italian Minister. Count Vinci on day he had made any proposals slacken the procedure in the or-

cluded from the Webbe Shibell River, but un-Wednesday in the presence of the to Italy in the past few days.

the prohibition. sanctions, (4), the economic pre- ganising of sanctiona.

whereas those in transit are freed ference for the state, loyal to the. der difficult ecnditions, owing to chief oficial of the foreign minis- The attitude of the British Gov- It is believed that even if | from its provisions.” Torrential rain is holding up the the intense heat and the bitter try and commander of the Im-ernment throughout the dispute Signor Mussolini, the Italian Dic-

Pact is to be secured by the re NO OPPOSITION advance of the Italian troops on opposition of the tribesmen-

perial Guard, in order to assure has been dictated by conformity ta or. is willing to

organisation of the markets and consider M. The Governmente concerned, are (5) the possibility of the opening himself that Count Vinci was in to the League Covenant and the Laval's proposals, or finds them also requested to fix a date on of a good health was being treated well. obligations it imposes. Its pur- acceptable, they will be rejected which the prohibition comes into demnincution of those suffering compensation fund to in- The French Minister also ar- pose was to maintain peace, and by the Ethioplan Emperor, who operation for their countries. No loss through the applications raged the necessary formalities now that there had been resort to would he upheld by the League decision was reached on the Bri-the sancitons. All non-commissioned ranks in for his departure, as soon as the war; its purpose is to restore of Na:ious,"

tish nation since it must first be. the Air Force 1908 class have been tiro consular agents on their peace the earliest possible

However. It is not believed that submited to the compensation tions will be continued on Thurs The discussion of these ques- called up for service.-

moment-

Il Duc will accept the peace committee, renamed the commit- day. British Wirelein.

tee for reciprocal support, but in Transcein Kuo Men |

; AIRMEN CALLED UP

the south front near Gertogubl | Reuter, according to a radia message from the German, news agency corres- ponderit from the headquarters at

Asmara who adds that If is possible | the rain may continue till the end ́of. November,—--

Prananeean Kuo Hia.

Reuter

Rome, Oct, 17.

way to the capital arrive.—

Transocean Kuo Min

at

plan