Evening star., 1935-10-08

LONDON. October 8 P).-The
capture of Edagahamus, 10 miles
beyond Adigrat, by Italian troops,
was reported today by the Ex-
change Telegraph correspondent
with the italian Army in Ethiopia.
By the Associated Press.
Italian troops were digging in" to-
day in their newly won positions in
Northern Ethiopia as Ethiopian war
riors massed nearby to take their
stand against continuance Of the Ital-
ian advance into Ethiopian territory.
The northern Italian army consol-
idated its position about Aduwa and
Adigrat, captured Sunday. The SOL
diers were held in check IS the artil-
lery bombarded concentrations of
Ethiopian warriors in the mountains.
In these mountains, to the south,
was a vast force of Ethiopians under
the command of Ras Seyoum, COVER
nor of Tigre Province.
Issue Likely at Makale.
As the two forces maneuvered into
position for the first major pitched
battle of the war, observers felt the
issue might come at Makale, go miles
to the south and east of Aduwa.
An Exchange Telegraph dispatch
from Adds Ababa said Northern
Ethiopian chieftains we're moving
with large forces toward Eritrea and
that one OF them had penetrated so
miles inside Of the border with $4,000
men. This was denied from the Ital-
ian headquarters in Eritrea, however.
The Adds Ababa correspondent said
the forces that entered Eritrea were
led by Ras Desta, son-in-law of En-
peror Halle SelaSsie.
Selassie, who must depend upon
man power to meet the modern forces
Of Italy, has some 100000 troops in
the field or on the march.
Location of Forces.
These are deployed as follows:
About 25O,000 in Ogaden Province,
in the desert area along Italian
Somaliland. They will meet the
Italians penetrating Ethiopia from
the south under command of Gen.
Rodolfo GRAHAM
About 100000 in the main defense
position In the heart of the empire
at Dessye, on a high plateau guard
ing the pass through the mountains
to Adds Ababa. Here, the Emperor
will be with his minister Of war, Ras
Mulugueta Thousands more troops
are converging on this point.
About $50 1000 troops in the north.
under the command of Ras Seyoum.
To the east of Dessye along the
eastern frontier are 10000 nomad
tribesmen.
French Troops Moved in.
Into this area the French moved to-
day. Two hundred white French CO.
lonial troops were moved into Deri-
dawa, Ethiopia-a center on the
French-owned railroad into Adds
Ababa-to protect foreigners and
French interests.
Rome announced the capture of
many prisoners and much war ma
terial.
The day was filled with unverified
rumors and reports from the fronts.
In Adds Ababa government officials
said natives were deserting in droves
from the Italian Army in the north.
A Reuters (British) dispatch said
the Italians had taken the holy city
OF Askum, to the west of Aduwa. An
other Reuters dispatch said the Ital-
ians had used gas for the first time
In the operations about Aduwa. An
Exchange Telegraph dispatch from
Adds Ababa said $4,000 Ethiopians
had penetrated Eritrea. Italian head
quarters denied the report.
from Stockholm came a report the
Ethiopian Army was not as badly
equipped as thought to be. This dis
patch said Ethiopia has a squadron
Of Is new airplanes.
Proclamation Protested.
Amid general approval of the neu-
trality proclamations of President
Roosevelt rose one disapproving voice,
that Of New York shippers who
radioed to the President aboard the
cruiser Houston:
Your discretionary act in banning
all trade with Italy and Ethiopia
serious blow to the commerce of this
country and port, and is premature
and ill-advised and not furthered our
neutral position at this time. Urge
you rescind same"
The message was sent by w. j. L.
Banham, head of the New York Board
(See WAR, Page 81