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Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20505, 23 May 1938, Page 9

MORE DIFFICULT

ITALY’S TABK CONQUEST OF ABYSSINIA (Times Air Mall Service) LONDON, April 9 The Italian conquest of Abyssinia appears to be getting more and more difficult. Entire regions have reverted to Abyssinian control, says the Manchester Guardian. In Addis Ababa there are hardly any of the Abyssinian ruling class left, but only the “gouragie * or coolie class. The Gallas. who refused to flght on the side of the Amharas In the war with Italy, are now joining the iaeurrecllonary movement. The movement Is aleo being Joined by.Tlgreana, with whom Eritreans In Italian servloe are fraternising. Tlgreans and Eritreans are kindred tribes). There Is great insecurity everywhere and casualties are frequent. There has been heavy fighting since the beginning of February'. Large eontlngents of Italian troops were moved into the province of GoJJam from Massawa and Asmara. In the middle of last month some twenty battalions of Italian European troops, as well as the greater part of the Italian Air Force In Abyssinia, . were conducting military operations. The Italian losses seem to have been heavy. The w*ounded are crowding Addle Ababa and other towns. Many wounded have passed through the Sues Canal. The difficulties of the Italian financial administration also appear to be Inoreaeing. Traders are selling out their stocks et extremely low prices. The Italians in Abyssinia welcome the Anglo-Italian Agreement and hope that It will begin a period of appeasement between England and Italy that will react favourably on the situation in Abyssinia.