1935-10-25 — Page 9

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GORAHAI DAILY

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS; FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1935.

BOMBARDED BY

BY ITALIAN AIRMEN

Order To Defend At

All Costs

IMPORTANT POSITION FOR INVADERS

The Route To Harrar

Special to the "Hong Kong Day Press omgrsgåt),1 Telegraph, Copyright, Telegraphic Mensager Ordinance, Received, Briober 23. 730 p.m.)

(Hy

Rome, October „24.

1804-

T

Gorahal, about 20 miles north of the Italian Ames of the south front & being bombared by Italian airmen almost daily preparatory to the general attack planned for the next. Icw days

Gorahal, is exeeedingly important strategically but also be- cause it commands the principal wells of the whole region. That is why the Italian Commander-in-Chief. General Graziani, wants to take. The position immediately to cope with the diff- culties of water shortage and the fever from which the troops are sufering since the campaign on the plains of Oraden.

Ras Desta commanding the Abyssinians was instructed by Negus to hold the position whatever it costs, because it Col mands the roads to Harrar and the coast and the concentṛa- fiting of troops around Jigs where the munition transports from British Somaliland are arriving daily. Ras Desta is said to command 300.000 men as against Graziani's 140,000-Trans- ocean Kuo Min.

USE OF POISON GAS

·Addis Ababa, Oct. 24. Allegations appearing in the world pres to the effect that Italy had been using poison gas, notably in the Ogaden. bombard. ments, are attributed to state- ments said to have been made by the American medical practitioner. Dr. Hockman, a resident at Jids- higar, who has just arrived at Addis Ababa for a short stay and learned with surprise that he has been cired as the source of polson gas.

Gorahal must be held at ali

to costs, is the crder sent

Ras Desta, who will in all probability throw his army into the first pitched battle of the campaign.

ne

Has Desta must defend a line

has 300,000

FRENCH HELP OCCUPATION

OCCUPATION OF TIGRE

FOR BRITAIN

Danger of Naval Attack

(Special to the "Hong Kong

Dally Press"} {**.

Tele- 18974

By Telegraph, Copyright, graphic Messages Ordinance,

Avceived, October 25. 7.36) posted

Paris, Oct. 24.

In M, Laval's report to the For- eign Political Committee of the Chamber and Senate on Wednes- day, the Premier read aloud the text of the note recently handed over to the British Government as to the French interpretation of Article 18 of the League of Nations Covenant.

According to the morning papers here M. Laval explained to the parliamentary. members that in case Italy should attack the Bri- tish Fleet, France would have to send to England support by all available means-land, sea and

sir.

This obligation, continued M Laval," would only arise when the British Fleet is exposed to attack in carrying out the sanctions or- dered by the League of Nations.

If the British Mediterranean Fleet were atacked at this junc ture by the Italians then it would be assumed that it had been at- tacked during the application of Janctions,

TO BE LEGALISED?

Reported Draft Scheme

P

To End Conflict

(Special to “Hong Kong Daily Press")

By Telegraph, Copyright, Telegraphic Menages Ordinance, 189». Received. October 2, 1.30 p.m.)

Rome, October 24.

The great diplomatic activity prevailing here is interpreted In political circles as Indicating the strenuous eforts to discover a solution to the conflict acceptable -alike to Italy, Abyssinia and the League of Nations, Informed quarters, belleve that the first aim envisaged is the postponement of sanctions since it "would be more difcuft to reach an agreement once the Italian people have become embittered by the pressure of economic necessity.

As for the eventual solution itself, while the difficulties in the way are fully recognised, political circles hope that the Geneva procedure will enable ways and means to be found whereby they may be overcome. It would seem, according to these circles, that a draft scheme has arready been evolved bas- ed on the differentiation between "Abyssinian Рторег" and border states which have been subjugated within recent years by the Addis Ababa government. By means of this dif- ferentiation Italy's right to colonial expansion and also the fact of her occupation of the province of Tigre would be recognised.

The draft scheme, moreover, is said to suggest that the Ita- Han occupation of Tigre should be legalised by means of a ple- biscite of the inhabitants and that Abyssinia should be com- pensated by the cession of the 'Eritrean port of Assab which would, however, remain under Italian control-Transocean Kuo Mizi.

DEBATE IN COMMONS

the

M. Laval attempted to mitigate

London, Oct. 23. that to do less would be to treat the seriousness of this important

Intimating his suspicion that a breaker of the League Covenant declaration by adding that Italy something in the manner of 1 as if no breach had occurred. had promised to avoid any col- secret diplomatic arrangement had men

Answering

"Government's lision in the Mediterranean which apparently allered the European critics, he said that the Sino- might make. it necessary for situation during the past few days,Japanese episode in Manchuria France to come to England's aid and inquiring as to what this was a false analogy with the pre- Pranxneean Kuo Min

might have been, Mr., David Lloyd sent situation in Ethiopia, Japan' George. former Prime Minister. had not been declared an aggressor

· from” Gorahal, to Jifiga, in which tacking modern arms and equipment. With these he must contend with a force of some 140,000 Italians. who are supported by heavy artillery. tanks and aircraft. The Italians are native troops for the most part,

Ocranal is strategically portant. It is essential that the Italians capture the place, for ts possession will remove most of the horrors of the long-drawn

through the

Dr. Heckman, who "intends to end his stay this week" and re- turn to the south fronts accom. panied by his two doctors of the Irish Red Cross, dentes emphati-paign cally that he had ever made any Ogaden plain; statements of this nature and adda that there is not the least indica-

tlon whatsoever to his knowledge that the Italian troops ever used polson gas.- Pranzorean Kuo Min

SHARP FIGHT IN NORTH

Asmara, Oct. 24. A lively engagement. occurred late on Wednesday to the west of Aksum where the Abyssinians un- der the personal leadership of Ras Seyoum attacked Lhe Italian right flank, with the apparent ob- Ject of cutting off part of the

Italian forces.

FURTHER PUSH

Im-

cam-

waterless

information, indicate that a major All reports, according to latest

battle is impending, though still there is no confirmation of action.

It is more certain. nov. how. ever, that Res Desta's right wing has been heavily engaged in the Webbe Shibell country with

General Graziant's left wing.

Many military observers here believe that General Graziani will make a further thrust northwards. next week, seeking to penetrate the Ethiopian lines and turn the battle into a rout

Reuter,

RAS GUGSA'S SON AS GOVERNOR

-TO WITHDRAW?

Paris, Oct. 23. Italy will inform M. Pierre Laval, she is ready to withdraw one of tae French Prime Minister, that her three divisions from Libya.- Reuter.

F

BRITISH KESPONSE

London, Oct. 23.

response to the Italian decision to It is understood that the British

withdraw troops from Libya has not yet been decided upon. pointed out that Italy will still have two fighting divisions in Libya.

It is

Meanwhile, in London pinion is contrary to the suggestion that the Italian decision is uncondi- tional

Reuter has learned from an "authoritative spokesman" in Rome that if the report that Britain has ordered the with- drawal of two battleships from the "Mediterranean is confirmed Italy might withdraw part of her forces from "Libya.

addressed the House of Commons by the League the dispute did not in a continuation, of the Foreign at any stage result in a resort to Affairs Debate to-day.

war by either of the parties; Sir Samuel Hoare, the Foreign China did not rapture her şela- secretary. had left some

vital ions with Japan and did not in- George, and the position was in Moreover, there things unsaid, said Mr. Lloyd voke Article XVI of the Covenant, practical many ways completely obscure. He considerations to be remembered asked for specific information re- at the time, since two of the great garding the Franco-Itallán agree- | states bordering on the Pacific ment of January last and of the were not League members, and the commitments a. the Stresa Con-essential conditions for collective ference.

ac.lon were absent.

were

GORDO DRYGIN

DISTILLE LONDO

if it's

Gordon's

GIN

you know what you're drinking

NO COLOURING MATTER

NO INIURIOUS INGREDIENTS

WHITEST

PUREST

BEST

The Largest Gin Distillers in the World

COTTON FROM EGYPT

Urgent Italian Demand

Alexandria, Oct. 29.

PLAIN DUTY OF AMERICA

To Support League Efforts

New York. Oct. 24. An appeal to President Roose-

+

Rising Egyptian cotton quqta- tions reflect the recent urgent develt-to lend his powerful aupport mand by exporters of cotton for to the efforts of the League to Immediate shipment to Italy established peace in Europe Bi against cash payment before refraining from evasion or trop sanctions are initiated.

resort to mere formal acknowledg- Overworked labourers have ment of the League's report to handled arrivals in Alexandria the United States was made in a totaling 70.600 bales in the past striking article in to-day's "New week compared with 50,000 bales York Times." last year and only 25.100 in the The paper says that if the Pre- corresponding week of last month.sident merely temporises and f While to-day's November quo he avoids direct approach to the tation for Sakels, for which the all-important matter of the Lea- demand is particularly great, clos-gue's report, such action will con- He declared that between" Janu-

ed at $15,03 8.5 compared with siderably strengthen the hands of ary and September, France had Re-echoing Bir Samuel Hoare's $14.24 last week. It was only $13.98 Sigdor Mussolint." sent to Italy 478 tons of distilla-hope for a settlement in the Euro-last month, and Ashmouni, though

The latter was deliberately dis fon coal, which was practically pean dispute, Mr. Eden said there auctuating widely recently, is to

regarding the overwhe.ming opin- TNT. and also 697 tons of glyce was no need for suspicion with day over 30 cants higher than e fon of other European nations und rine for great guns.

his country's word' to the United States, and it was America's plain and unavoidable duty to couch a reply to the representations of the League which would hearten that body in its great affort to enforce peace in Europe. Heuter,

Finally he asserted that un- doub.edly something bad happen- ed during the past few days. He asked whether Great Britain had promised 10 withdraw her feet from the Mediterrean,

NOTHING TO HIDE Mr. Anthony Eden, the Minister

NO BARGAIN

respect to the nego:lations.

"There is no question of a bar- gain being made, and at less of some imperialistic deal ......... The only assurance given to Italy is tha: we shall not act alone."

Mr. Lloyd Gearge interposed: "You said that before."

month ago. Reuter.

ment must be fair to the three parties-Italy, Ethiopia and the League of Nations.

Mr. Eden re.orted: "We said it for League of Nations Affairs, who | again. Mr. Lloyd George may be bas been conducting Britain's astonished but he would not be if diplomatic campaign at Geneva,he read the Italian press." replied, asserting vigorously:

Those engaged in this unhappy "I have absolutely nothing to dispa.e cannot have much enthu- that the (Special to the "Hong Kong Daily from Britain, however, and that Committee under Article XVT (of but here was a duty and it had possible in

request for a reciprocal gestire hide." The report of the Geneva alasm for their task, he declared,

The strength of the Abyssinian detachments was estimated at 1.- 000 men equipped with six heavy machine guns and it was only after hard fighting and mountain artillery had been brought into action by the Italians attacking forces were repulsed.

Reconnaisance Alights after- wards carried out by Italian planes showed that the Abyssinian troops retired behind Jerak river which is a tributary of Takkade asamancenon Kun Min

CIANO'S STATEMENT

Asmara, Oct.. 24. No aerial bombing of towns and villages whatever has been under- taken, declared Count Clano when "Interviewed by Reuter, nor has any

From

Press" (Copyright).]

I

It is understood there was no

ed here.

the Italian order for the with- Addis Ababa, Oct. 23.

the Covenant) represents the only to be done. He was loudly cheer- drawal of a division from Libya negplations there have been.“ Italian airplanes in the dorthern front, leaflets have been Italian relations, resulting

Was due to improved Anglo-

With regard to the query as to

The debate continues to-morrow, thrown which read "people of Tigre, by order of King House of Commons yesterday and states, Mr. Eden answered: "We are

as follows Bir Samuel Hoare's speech in the to compensation of

From whether Britain were comml ted Mr. Stanley Baldwin, the Prime sny other Minister, having refused time for Emmanual 3, and Mussolini, His Sir Eric Drummond's assurances

a debate of the labour motion of Highness Haile Selassie, son of to Signor Mussolini:

committed thereto by the League censure on unemployment. Ras-Gugsa has been appointed by Reuter

Covenant."

CABINET SUPPORT General De Bono, Governor of the territories of Adowa and Takkaze. The people of Tigre, congratulate yourselves that the house of Em - peror John will resuscitate with

ORDER GIVEN · ··

London, Oct, 23. The Foreign Office announces that the Italian Government has

ness,

CHINA PERPLEXED -OVER SANCTIONS

1

LESSON OF CRISIS "We are

nob dealing with the League in the plentitude of strength envisaged by its found- ers. It is obvious that what would be easily possible in the League as,

Nanking, Oct. 24. originally

not contemplated is

Mr. Wang Ching Wel, Minister the present League, of Foreign Affairs, is in receipt of which has been left aside by three the League resolution calling for most important world Powers. We economic sanctions against Italy. - have no Intention of acting by ourselves or af going further than we can get the whole League, to go. We have never had WELT in mind."

gas been used he said. "We don't help from the Italian Goverxi- } informed Britain that it has given tlons between January and March, had been in constant touch, while ments.

intimidate the peaceful population when they know that they look to Italy for liberation." "

ment".

women

FOUR REGIMENTS

Rome, Oct. 23.

Reports from Makale state that the order for the withdrawal of Оле of the three divisions in the constantly increasing number! Libya.. Heavy bombers carrying almost or inhabitants of

districts occu- exclusively ten-pound bombs have pled by the Italians, are continu- been effectively employed against ously arriving in that town. It troops in the open country tents is added that the male fugitives outside the villages, This has will be incorporated with Abys- caused panic as well as casualties, ainian troops, while the

It is rumoured here that Signor Mussolini has withdrawni four thus revealing the enemy position. are being accommodated in special fantry, from the Egyptian frontier regiments, comprising 8,000 in- The planes swoop down to three

camps: No important operations hundred feet, bombing

are reported on Wednesday either remain in Libye-

of Libya, though the troops still machine-gunning simultaneously.

f the north or southem front- Count Clano conducted Reuter Transarens Ķus Bin

leuter, round the magnificently equipped aerodrome having 1. immense asphalted alipway а thousand metres long and three hundred feet broad used especially in wet weather.-- Fruter.

A

and

HEAVY FIGHTING

Addis Ababa, Oct. 23. heavy engagement between :: tapops commanded by Ras. Desta, on the right wing of the Webbe Shibeli River front, and a strong Italian force, hea commenced, ac- cording to unconfirmable reports reaching here."

SWEDISH SURGEONS FOR ABYSSINIA

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

Paris, Oct. 23.

11

JOINING EMBARGO

Geneva, Oct. 23. The Little Entente, Rumania, Yugoslavia and Czecho-Slovakia, informed the League of Nations Two Swedish surgeons, wearing to-day that they were applying the the International Red Cross und-arma embargo against Italy. Twenty-five states are. form, arrived here by air to-day

pow BIOLA embargo

and will proceed immediately to applying.

the

Official circles here perplexed whether imposition of sanctions against Italy should be made, as the military authorities are buying. a good number of Caproni bombers and Flat fighters from Italy on favourable credit.

Mr. Baldwin deprecated the use He proceeded to recite the his- Mr." Stanley Bahiwin, Prime of the world ""war,", which could tory of the diplomatic activities | Minister, in the course of only encourage dangerous' condi- Adoption of sanctions against since December, with the object of leng.hy speech, sald every word tons of mind, especially in Italy will affect these shipments rebut ing the charge of dilatori- which Sir Samuel Hoare hised countries which depended for and draw the tre of Premier yesterday had the full and united their news on what may be sub- Mussolini. The Italian Ambassador support of the Cabinet. Mr. Eden mitted to them by their Govern- is coming here from Pelping to ascertain whether China will join at Geneva, with his London col- "The lesson of this crisis has League action against Raly..

unanimously leagues, who dorsed his actions during the last few weeks, and yesterday's debate had shown conclusively that the Government's policy had general support in Britain and the whole British Empire.

interest of Union News.

imagination,

ROME COMMUNIQUE

He alluded to the representa, one of which was made to Signor Mussolini personally.

en- shown that, in the WORK REVIEWED ··

world peace, it it essential that Towards the end of March, he

our defensive services should be related, Italy had given assurance

stronger than they are to-day. I that she would proceed with the

am not speaking of any kind of ⠀ ** negotiations for peace as rapidly

unilateral action directed, either (Special to the "Hong Kong Daus

a spirit of moderation and peace. 28 possible, as she was anxious to

In in reality OF

• Press" (Copyright).T apply the principle of Geneva in The day had gone, sald Mr. against any particular country, 1

Rome, Oct. 23. Baldwin, when we gave instruc- am speaking of strengthening our Nothing important occurred in He revewed proecedings up to tlaris to component parts of the defensive services within the either of the Abyssinian fronts the time of his visit to Rome with Empire. The Dominions play framework of the League, for the according to a report from Gene- proposals for a settlement, and ex their part, at Geneva with true de sake of international peace, and ral de Bono, published here on pressed regret that this occasion, votion to he League and strict re- not for selfish needs. We have Wednesday, the report stating that Uke very many others in which gard to their obligations under the taken a risk for peace, and the the voluntary submission of the Britain had made efforts to find a Covenant. By their presence at Government sees no other course inhabitants in the occupied areas: solid basis for negotiations, was Geneva they had taken their stand than to adopt a policy, so far as continues and that life in the dis- unsuccessful.

as supporting the system of col- the League can carry it out, oftricts concerned is assuming its In detall, Mr. Eden went through 'lective action. In the Italo-collective security.

normal aspects again, and the month-by-month negotiations. Ethiopian dispute, they had un- "While I am prepared to pursue The Abyssinian Charge D'Affaires "Each time the negotiations fall hesitatingly played their part in that policy with all my heart and who has been recalled by his ed through the Italian refusal to the creation of a plan of co-soul, I would not pursue it if not government paid a farewell visit accept even a basis of discussion."ordinated sanctions.

given the power to remedy the to the Secretary of State, Suvich. he said,

deficiencies in our defensive ser- on Wednesday — vices since the Great War. If the Transocrin Kuo Min. League fails this time, it behoves

.

Continuing, Mr. Baldwin said: "We have taken the only possible As to the application of the course of action by abolute loyalty

FALSE ANALOGY

Addis Ababa, via Marseilles and against Italy and five have sus- Hague Convention regarding for the Covenant, with a readiness us to see what can be done to make Djibouti

pended financial relations---

I'allan warships and auxiliaries in to seize any legitimate opportunity | the League adequate.”~-~- Transocean Luis Min

British porta, Mr. Eden, declared for a settlement. Buch a settle- Reuter

"

Reuter,

(6lver Market and other Cables

on page 12).