The dim culty of sifting the news "from Bthiopia is no less than was to be expected. The resources of modern means of communication lend themselves to suppression of fact and, paradoxically enough, to the generous Gissemination of fantasy, Therefore it would be highly unwise te attempt dogmatically to form opinions on the actual course of the campaign as far developed. The recorded achievements of the Ttalian army seem to ive solid gains. The occupation of Adowa within a few days of the order to advance and the surrender of Aksum together with an accession of tribal forces to the Italian armies might be held to justify General De Bono's claims of success. It is sug gested, however, that Signor Mussolini is not satisfied and is falling into the war-time politician's error of endeavouring to force the hands et the General Staff in the field, If this symptom be correctly recorded it Is appearing early in the counsels of the Italian Government. It may indicate a certain uneasiness re~ garding the stability of the "home front". In the Great War apprehhensions of the same" kind—as copious war diaries and memoirs Tater revealed—led to. interference with the direction in the field and, not infrequently, to. disaster. Italy cannot afford to'begin with disaster for the simple reason that the longer liber troops delay coming to grips with the real strength of the Ethiopian Auerrilla forces, the more difficult will her tusk become. Guerrillas do hot expect to win early advantages and if Signor Mussolini's Impatience correctly assessed, Ethiopia has at Yeast succeeded in. upsetting some of the Italian plans despite the glowing communiques emanating from: Rome, This view of Signor Mussolini of mind is consistent with the serious suggestion that he is contemplating desperate defiance of Great Britain erate attempts to win French sympathy. It is possible that 11 Duce sees French Catholics supports that theory. and with the recklessness of the doomed gambler is seeking to save hhimselt by Involving his country a struggle of titante proportions.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.