Aksum Reported to Have Been Captured: Gigantic Onslaught Likely in Ogaden KSUM the religious centre of Abyssinia, where the Kings of Ethiopia have been traditionally crowned in the past, has been captured by the Italians. It will be remembered that in an earlier report it was stated that the Italians were taking special precautions (o sce that the various holy buildings should not be damaged and it is consequently hoped that they will have escaped unscathed.
In the meanwhile it is reported that both sides are preparing for a great Italian onslaught which it is expected will be made in the Ogaden province.
As the result of a resolution drawn up in Addis Ababa by the Ministers of Great Britain, the United States, Belgium, France, Germany, Egypt and Greece, the British Ambassador in Rome, Sir Eric Drummond, to-day, according to Reuter, drew the attention of the Italian Governmer to the fact that Addis Ababa and Dire-dowa, on the Addis Abal Djibouti railway, are open towns with large foreign population:
'The Italian government informed Abyssinia' that Italian" troops would not bomb the Addis Ababa-Djiboutt oilway if the Abyssinian goverament were {0 promise not to transport arms and ammunition over the lint The Abyssinian government was reported {fo have "given Rome a favourable answer.
With Aksum inthe hands of the Italians, the way 1s now open for an advenes to the South along a 60-mile front, The forward push of the in~ vaders at present appears to be hindered only by geographical aif\~ culties, reports the United Press.
The Italian position is being consolidated rapidly. "Labour battalions re working directly behind the front Vines, Thousands of tons of supplies are being brought up. The troops appear to be in good condition.
The next advance is likely to be along the caravan routes leading to
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