Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-01-26
VICTORY CLAIMED
BYETH|0P|A, ITALY
Triumph Celebrated in Adds
Ababa and Rome After
3-Day Battle.
BACKGROUND

4tutsUh TttUotOh VI GtfttORt<e
started in October, tUith tho armies
pushing tor1oard from 'Eritrea, in
north, and Son1aliland, In south.
In November advances ceased on
both fronts, NTH bombing activities
OF Italian aviators only important
action during December.
During past 10 days both Italians
and Ethiopians haze claimed pic
tories, first in south and later in
north.
Meanwhile, League of Nations
continues economic pressure against
Italy and considers more drastic
restrictions. Britain and four
Mediterranean nations join in de-
tense pact.
BY the Associated Press.
Philippians and Italians rejoiced to-
day for victories claimed in a bloody
battle on the northern front as eye
witnesses described the fighting there
as the fiercest since the war began.
Rival claims OF triumph were sup
ported with contradictory reports Of
CdSuaAtlOo Oll CQAAA oAAC AAA WIG I'LL
day battle which ragged around Ma
kale. the important Ethiopian town
taken by the Italians in their second
major offensive in the early days OF
the war.
Earlier reports Of huge Fascist
advance on the southern front were
followed by Reuters dispatch stating
that $4,000 Ethiopian warriors. In
Guiding the Creeping Cola" tribes
men, are hurrying by forced marches
to reinforce Ras Desta Demtu, thrown
back by the Italians near Dolo.
10000 Charge Repeatedly.
In Asmara, Eritrea, eyewitnesses Of
the battle Is miles west OF Makale said
Ethiopians numbering 10000 repeat
eddy charged a Black Shirt division
but were repulsed each time until the
Italians, strengthened by reinforce
ments, forced the Ethiopians to re-
tire.
Military observers expressed the
opinion that the warriors OF Ras
Kassa and Ras Seyoum, in their wild
assault on the Fascist soldiers, were
attempting to Offset the reported VIC
tories by Gen. Rudolfo Granziani on
the southern front.
The Ethiopians, constantly strength
ened by fresh troops from the rear,
charged recklessly into barrage of
Fascist machine gun fire, needless of
casualties despite terrific losses. The
Italians likewise fought valiantly.
Makale Surrounding Claimed.
While Adds Ababa claimed Makale
had been surrounded by its forces,
Gen. Pietro Badoglio, commander OF
the African armies, declared in COM
munique his troops had smashed an
Ethiopian plan to attack the northern
Fascist army. The Ethiopian govern
ment asserted two Fascist columns
trying to save Fascist troops in Ma
kale had been wiped out, thousands
of Italians and Eritreans falling in
the fighting.
Gen. Badoglio placed the number OF
Italian dead and wounded at TAB and
the Ethiopian casualties at 5000.
The battle ended with the Ethi-
opians driving the Italians out Of two
fronts after bitter hand-to-hand fight
ing" the Ethiopian communique as
serted.
1t praised "the maneuvers OF the
armies of Ras Kassa and Ras Seyoum
in closing in upon both sides Of the
Italian columns
Capture of many tanks was report
ed, along with 10 heavy cannons and
100 machine guns.
Triumph Celebration Marred.
The triumphal celebration in Rome
was marred by only the encircling
aspect of the defensive Mediterranean
pact concluded by Ave sanctionist
countries under the leadership OF
Great Britain.
Authoritative Italian circles said
they viewed as a needless menace
Britain'S initiative in surrounding
Italy with nations pledged to join the
British in case of an Italian attack.
The Ethiopian capital turned from
sober to joyous last night as Ethi-
opians began a wild celebration OF
victory.
Jubilant officials said, aided by rain,
they would not only drive the Italians
out Of Makale, but out of the holy
city of Aksum and Aduwa as we'll.