Aden, Feb. 1.
A shortage of petrol and other supplies is severely handicapping the Italian defence of Eritrea and Abyssinia, according to travellers Food supplies are so low that three-quarters of the population of Massawa has scattered {nto the interior to forage for themselves.
The shortage is increased by vigorous RAF. attacks from Aden on communications, supply dumps and transports. The Djibouti-Addis Ababa railway has been severely damaged by the bombing of two stations, and at Assab, stores and transports have been heavily plastered.
The Italian High Command com-
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