29 NOVEMBER 1935, Page 1

War in the Mud War news from Ethiopia is as

usual conflicting, and reports of sensational developments on either side Must be accepted with reserve. General Graziani's advance is at least arrested, but more probably by weather con- ditions than by military opposition. Heavy and un- seasonable rain has made much of the country almost impassable to motor transport, and difficulties of supply may account for any withdrawal of advanced elements that has taken place. The apparent failure of a drive by Ras Desta aimed at the extreme south of the Italian left flank, thanks to Italian preparedness and the effective 'action of low-flying aeroplanes, goeS' to prove that Abyssinian attacks are only likely to succeed when they fall like bolts from the blue upon moving columns. There is, however, the possibility that the morale of the Italian native troops, who have borne the brunt of .fighting and hardship on this front, has degenerated to some extent. In the North the maintenance of roads is proving almost as arduous as the making of them, and the problem of reinforcing the troops at Makalle with a view to further advance is complicated by the difficulty of supplying those already there. The bulk of the Northern Army is still round Axiim, Adua and Adigrat, and the task of coping with infiltration of small Abyssinian bands into the occupied area is no easy one. With each extension of conquest these difficulties will increase. ;