21 FEBRUARY 1936, Page 2

In spite of conflicting reports it seems clear that the

Abyssinians have suffered a rather serious reverse near . Makalle. There, as recently in the south, the Italians have shown that they can carry everything before them in a battle fought on lines of their Own choosing. Their success, according to Italian figures, has cost them some 200 killed and 600 wounded, while the Abyssinian losses are estimated at 5,000 to 6,000 dead. Though this is an obvious apprOximation it is probably nearer to -the truth than the absurdly low figures in the meagre report which is all that Ras Mulugeta has so far furnished.