Evening star., 1936-04-15
Attainment of Objective
Opens Heart of Nation to
Invaders-Addis Ababa Is
Available by Good Road.
FORMER HEADQUARTERS
OF EMPEROR OCCUPIED
Collapse of Defense in North Is
Seen as Eritreans Complete
Swift Advance-Italian Group
Reaches Geneva Without In
structions From Mussolini.
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
Anxious to establish stronger
position in Ethiopia before reSum-
ing peace negotiations at Genera,
as nell as to push nearer Adds
Ababd before the ne,0 rainy season
sets in, Italy has accelerated its
African inuasion in recent DeekS.
Meanwhile. European po,uers are
split ouer MusSolini's ,par OF con-
guest, Britain fearing danger to her
interests in Africa, Dhile France
hopes to retain Italy's support for
possible action against Germany.
copyright. 1885. by the Associated Press.)
ROME, April 15.-Italy's ad-
vancing northern army achieved
It's major immediate objective by
the capture of Dessye today, the
government announced officially.
The occupation opened the heart
of Ethiopia to the conquering
Fascist forces.
Marshal Pietro Badoglio, command
er in chief of the Italian armies in
East Africa, reporting the occupation
of the former field headquarters of
Emperor Halle SelaSsie, said in a
communique:
"Our troops entered Dessye this
morning"
From that point, 14O miles directly
south of the former northern front
lines at Amba Alaji and ITO miles
northeast Of Adds Ababa, good au-
tomobile road runs into Ethiopia S
capital
1.-The days of the Ethiopian empire
are numbered" commented the corre-
spondent of the Stefani Qtalian)
News Agency.
Shoa Section Now Open.
This correspondent, reporting from
Asmara, Eritrea, said the Shoa Sec
ton of Ethiopia, backbone of Halle
Selassie's domain, now lay open to
occupation by the Italian troops.
Reports from Asmara, Eritrea,
stated the capture of Dessye with
out opposition was regarded by italian
authorities as exemplifying the COM
plete collapse of Emperor Halle Selas-
sizes defenses in the north.
Dessye has been the base of the
Emperor's northern operations and
was the scene of the bombing raid
which many foreigners witnessed at
first hand last Winter.
Dessye now may become the site
Of peace negotiations.
The capture was made by the
Eritrean Army Corps, which was
prominent in the pursuit of Halle
Selassie's troops following the Italian
victory at Lake Ashangi.
Their advance from Quoram, which
was occupied April S, was steady and
swift.
Nearly Captured Emperor.
With airplanes constantly bombing
the scattered remnants of the Ethio-
plan Army, the Eritrean soldiers
reached Alomata, miles south of
Quoram, on April 6, when the Gala
tribesmen were reported to have mar
rowly missed capturing the Emperor
himself.
Supplied with food, ammunition and
water by air transport, the Eritreans
used mules and camels to increase
their speed as the country leveled
away into luxurious rolling lands far
easier to travel than the cruel. bleak
mountains north of Ashangi.
An April IL they marched through
Lisbo, where large supplies of am
munition and material had been
abandoned by the Ethiopians in their
flight.
During the last two days the main
body has pressed into Dessye follow
ing the arrival there at least three
days ago of its advanced guards.
The Italians were reported to have
received hearty welcome from the
natives and the large Moslem popula-
ton.
Dessye is in the section of the
Gallas, long reputed to be the natural
enemies of the Ethiopian ruling
classes.
FASCISTS REACH GENEVA.