The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-08-09
Il DUCE PLANS
full USE OF
SCIENCE
Fighting BY October
Looms; Tanks to
Assist Planes

herwith repealed by International
NeDS Service in the first Guthen-
tic disclosure from Rome OF
ItGlyS program for the Gnttct-
pGted struggle.
Copyright, 1898. International News
Service)
ROME, Aug. eff war comes
In Ethiopia-and all indications |
point that way-Italy intends to
fight in the most scientific and |
up-to-date manner possible.
This became evident today |
through a survey by International
News Service of 1taly's war plans
and through disclosure this t
Italian officials feel the fighting |
in Ethiopia will serve useful
purpose in demonstrating the |
range and possibilities Of modern |
weapons of attack in actual war
fare.
Though the Ethiopian conflict
will be a colonial war;" fought
under special conditions differing
widely from those of European
war, it will serve as a testing
ground for the countless new i'm
provements discovered in arma-
ments since the end of the World
War II years ago.
Italy thus may be the first
nation to make a practical ex-
pertinent in the effectiveness Of
the latest and most destructive
of war weapons.
Fighting by October
In a speech to commanders Of
the modified Black Shirt, newly
created divisions of volunteers,
Premier Mussolini promised the
war-if there is war-will be eff
GENTLY waged.
The idea is to make the major
operations as brief and decisive
as possible. With this in view,
Italy intends to start fighting
only when all her preparations
are completed-probably in Octo-
Der.
This is the answer to questions
regarding the delay and explains
why silent preparations were not
started previously, so as to have
the ports of MaSSawa in Eritrea
and MogadiSho in Italian Somali-
land ready for the traffic of
large expeditionary force, and
why 10000 laborers are now toll
ing to build roads in East Africa.
Officials here say this delay is
1taly'S best Justification of her at
titude towards Ethiopia, since it
shows that Italy did not intend
to make war.
Another fact cited is that italy
kept in Eritrea and Somaliland
only 5000 troops.
Rain Blocks Action
After the Italo-Ethiopian dis
pute flared, it is stated, the first
troops left Italy for Eritrea and
Somaliland in a great hurry, not
to make military demonstration
against Ethiopia, but to correct
1taly'S military weakness in East
Africa.
1t was feared this weakness
might invite attack by the Ethio-
plan hordes, which could have
tossed the slim Italian forces into
the sea.
Officials now feel the situation
HS rnUnrcnI Nf
an Ethiopian attack has been
excluded. Meanwhile, the rainy
season makes fighting impossible
until the dry season opens the
middle of next month.
Even then many roads will
have to be repaired before an
advance can be considered.
While this work progresses,
volunteer troops are being trained
In southern Italy together with
the regular army divisions which
are scheduled but have not yet |
left for Africa.
100000 Troops
According to official announce
ments, it is planned eventually
to send to East Africa five divi.
Sions of the regular army and
five divisions of the volunteer
black shirted militia.
This will be the first time that
black shirts will have been formed
into regular divisions, since pre-
viously they were considered com
Elementary units to be added to |
the regular divisions.
This has neceSsitated creation
OF special artillery batteries
formed from volunteers from the
regular army. The result is that
in the event of general mobiliza.
ton, Italy has several more di-
visions than before. all complete
and trained.
Officials consider the present |
partial mobilization is an expert.
ence which will make italy much |
more powerful as military ma
ton.
BY estimating the strength of
each division at $4,000, it is be-
Heved italy can have 100000
white troops, including the spe-
cla' services, the air force, ETC.,
1r East Africa by october.
In addition there will be large
numbers Of colored troops. which
probably will be used as shock
forces to start attacks.