The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-10-14
Aksun1 Surrendered To Italian Forces
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 long since, apparently, to the south. Ras Siyoum, commander in chief on the northern front, was eported retreating with 1000 men toward Rembien.
 Italian commanders hope that the city's surrender, and the submission of priests and chieftains outside it, will be an example to others. It is hinted that subsidies will await them, on the British plan, to insure their loyalty.
 Now the word Avanti-Forward- is awaited by the scores of thous- ands of victorious men on the northern front.
 The surrender of Ras Halle Selas- sic Gugsa opened the way for the Italians to march southeastward to join with the eastern army that is operating from the Mt Mussa Ali area at the corner of Eritrea, French Somaliland and Ethiopia.
 Gugsas won territory comprises 10000 squaremiles south of Adigrat. To the east of it is the Danakil desert called the hell hole of crea- tion, which would make the Italians left flank safe in the advance southWard.
 Eleven Days of Labor
 Eleven days of great labor of con- solidation have followed the first advance of the Italian army.
 Road laborers have moved right behind the front line. Water sup plies have been provided. There are food dumps, munitions dumps, dumps for oil and gasoline. A thous- and motor trucks and more, cuont- less mules, have brought tens of thousands of tons of supplies.
 The men are gaunt from rations and have been resting and nursing their blistered feet.
 The animals have open sores, galled from pack saddles.
 But now the time is near when new advance can start-Whenever Premier Benito Mussolini and Gen. Emilio De Bono, commander in ClllCl Ol LIlC CoDL All lIull dllillCoj deem it advisable.
 50 Mile Push Planned
 AS both southern corners of the Italian rectangle of occupation arc open to advance, it is likely that the forthcoming push will be along the caravan route to Makale, 50 miles south of Adigrat.
 But 50 miles seems not the limit. It appears today that the army can go hundred miles-or hundreds forward without obstacles except those of nature and the lack of roads passable to wheeled vehicles. The submission of the Coptic Christian priests of the Aksum and Aduwa regions will have far reach ing political importance. The Cop tic clergy are the real rulers of Ethiopia. They have more actual power than has Emperor Halle Selassie, especially in the north.
 Now that the religious leaders of the holy city have submitted there will be reverberations throughout Ethiopia. The submission probably will be of great influence and en- courage other submissions as the l Italians advance.
 Not only did the Coptic Christian priests accept Italian domination but leaders of the Moslem commit mites of both Aksum and AduWa surrender.
 Avoided Military Attacks
 The Italians deliberately avoided any military attacks on Aksum, knowing it to be the seat of many religious institutions and monster ies, and desiring to avoid embitter- , ing the Coptic orders which had been aloof even before the Italian advance because of the fear that invasion would mean an influx of Roman Catholic influence. But the Italians have shown the utmost de- ference to religious feeling. witnessed one instance when I rode in Aduwa with Gen. Villa Santa, his first call was at the local Coptic Christian church, ! where he bent his head in a gesture of kissing the big gilt Byzantine cross offered by the head priest. , Now the way to the south is open. It is possible that political exigen- cies may impel retardation of a really big forward drive, to give plenty of time for news of todays events to penetrate into the inter- for by runners who will carry the letters in front of them, fixed in a cleft or forked stick.
 Authorities here consider the de- lection of Gugsa and the submission of the Coptic priests as the most highly significant concuences since the beginning of their drive.
 The flight of Ras Siyoum-the only leader in the north who can be counted upon for and serious re- sistance-with only 1000 men leaves large slice of the Higre country open to formal taking over by Italy
 But geographic conditions render the mere taking not simple matter
 Holy City Legends
 Rome, Oct. 4-(UP).-Aksuh Holy City of Ethiopia, whose cap turc was announced today, breathes the legend of Efae Queen of Sheba