CALL TO COLOURS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 109, 18 February 1935, Page 5

CALL TO COLOURS

VOLUNTEERS IN ITALY. ' ' I ' ~ SHORT RATIONS AND UNIFORMS. MUSSOLINI’S RIGOROUS ACT. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12.25 p.m.) ROME, February 18. When thousands of young volunteers arrived at Messina in response to the call to the colours, General Vacari, commanding at Messina, realised that rations and clothing would not be sufficient. He telegraphed to the WarOffice, pointing out the unwisdom of crowding the seaport with troops before adequately preparing, for them. Signor Mussolini’s reply as War Min ister was to place General Vacari on the retired list.

Nevertheless, the difficulty was not solved. The youngsters are flocking in without uniforms and unequipped except for small bundles brought from their homes. They will he drafted to Syracuse and Palermo before sailing. General Boscardi replaces General Vacari.

FASCISTI MOBILISED. MILITIA SAILING FOR AFRICA. ROME, February 16. Signor Mussolini reviewed two battalions of the Blackshirt Fascist Militia which iiad been mobilised by postcard, prior to their departure to Italian East Africa. The Prince of Piedmont reviewed a third battalion at Naples. Many Fascist! left their businesses at forty-eight horn's’ notice. Big camps haye been established at Syracuse and / Palermo, where ,a holiday atmosphere prevails. Enthusiastic crowds along the streets and at the railway stations farewelled the militia. ' e LARGE! FORCE SAILS.

LONDON, February 17. The Naples correspondent of the British United Press says that 1000 Fascist militia men have sailed for East Africa, fully equipped for colonial warfare sncl in uniform. Crowds cheeiv ed them from the quayside. The troops reviewed by Signor Mussolini are sailing later. AN INDEPENDENT SPIRIT. ABYSSINTANS FIGHT TO LAST. ROME, February 15. “With 6000 years of independence behind us wo would fight to the last man, woman and child if Italy declared War,” says Jesus Afework, Abyssinian Charge d’Affaires. “Ethiopia, however, wants peace. We have complete faith in the word of the King of Italy and Signor Mussolini that ltaly does not intend any warlike adventures in Abyssinia.”