Before Tobruk, Jan. 10.
British armoured patrols had cover~ ed a third of the distance from the frontier to Benghazi, along the main coastal road en route to Tobruk, without encountering Italian forces of appreciable strength up to Thursday evening.
The Italians apparently were retire ing hastily to the nearest fortified town and awaiting the British beslegers.
The British do not appear to be endeavoring to capture Tobruk until they have dispensed with the thousands of Ballan prisoners captured st Bardia. The prisoners are previo to be a heavy strain on the transportation of food and water supplies Hundreds of Talian stragglers along the coastal road to Tobruk have pleaded to be taken prisoners, but the British and Australian troops have been too busily concentrating on a westward drive to pay attention, The Ttaliaris may be given food and odd Jobs 10 do clearing the roadway.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.