ABYSSINIAN ARMS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 243, 27 July 1935, Page 3

ABYSSINIAN ARMS

ACCUSATION AGAINST GERMANY AN ITALIAN’S REVELATIONS. Germany has been openly accused of having supplied large quintities of arms and munitions to Abyssinia by the Italian newspaper “Giornale d’ltalia,” which is often regarded as a mouthpiece of the Italian Government, says the Rome correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian.” The editor, Signor Virginio Gayda, in an important article, also hit out at European nations in general who havo supplied arms to Abyssinia. He reminded them of the arms convention, and said that they will be responsible for “unforeseen developments.”

The conclusion drawn was as follows: “Italian defence must, therefore, be on a vast scale to moot a country which is in a strong military position and can put a 1 million men in the field,” It was stated in the article that Germany supplied chemicals for an unknown use, perhaps for explosives or foe gas. Germany was also alleged to have furnished Abyssinia with large numbers of rifles and machine-guns, with anti-aircraft guns, armoured cars, and Junker aeroplanes. Most of this material went by the Jibuti railway.

It is stated that from European countries from January to the middle of April there arrived in Abyssinia 10,006 Mauser rilies, 2,000,000 cartridges, 200 machine guns, continues the “Manchester Guardian.” To these must bo added large numbers of guns said to bo already possessed by Abyssinia. It is well known, says the article, that almost every man in Abyssinia carries a gun. v

Payments for these armaments have been made by contracts over a period of nine years and against merchandise exported from Abyssinia, especially coffee. Thoso who soli guns have apparently an optimistic idea oi Ethiopia’s paying power, continues Signor Gayda, who adds that there is a bank in a European country which has given credit to the Emperor. The article declares that in view of the dangerous situation it is important that Italy should take ample measures of defence and make a definite stand with regard to her possessions.

Concentration. It is stated that Abyssinia has mobilised her troops in two zones near the frontier, where there are some thousands of armed men. Hie two zones arc near tlio Italian Somaliland and Eritrea frontier. Large quantities of arms and munitions and anti-gas material and food and forage have been concentrated, the writer asserts, in these zones near the frontier by the Ahyssinians. There are also hangars with air material. The Abyssinian Government has also imposed a tax ot one dollar a head foi reasons ot war on all its inhabitants. Warlike tribesmen can be assembled in about 20 days. Men, women and slaves are mobilised, either through local chiefs or by lire signals on the hilltops. Rifles and ammunition have already been distributed, not only r to the mobilised troops, but also to local chiefs for the tribesmen. They have also been told the routes they arc to follow to arrive at the concentration points, says the paper. Special apprehension is shown, according to the “Giornale d’ltalia,” with regard to the massing of troops on the Italian. Somaliland frontier, whcuo a line of 500 miles from British Somaliland to Kenya has to he defended by the Italians. The article states that intensive work is being carried out for the construction oi landing grounds for air squadrons near the Italian Somaliland frontier and for the enlargement of those already existing. New wireless stations are to be set up on the north and south frontiers by the Ahyssinians and new plant for telegraphic communication between Addis Ababa and the provinces. Warlike pamphlets. Besides the dollar poll tax it is stated that all Abyssinian officials have had part of their salary docked tor war expenses. Warlike pamphlets are bein" circulated among the tribesmen to fire the martial spirit of the Ethiopian soldiers. “Add to this,” states the article, “that Italy must provide not only lor her actual defence against immediate surprise, but also for a definite guarantee for the near and distant future, and a civilised industrial Bower which has large European responsibilities cannot bo held up for ransom by continuous menaces and'uncertainties by a hostile and turbulent African neighbour. . “Italian defence must therefore bo on a vast scale in order to meet a country which is in a strong liiilitaiy position and can put 1,000,000 men m the field.” teionor Gayda, who writes semi-ofh-cially, then refers to those European countries who aro said to he iuiiiis i ing arms to Abyssinia. “There are among them nations which benefited from Italian solidarity in the Great War and which should feel some regard for Italy. As for their colonial possessions, they should have u clear sense of their responsibility and solidarity with white and civilised nations, These nations evidently do not realise that Abyssinian armaments to-day directed against Italy may to-morrow lie turned against their territory. • 7 “Abyssinia’s territorial cupidity and her desire for an opening to the sea arc well known. There are among those who arc furnishing arms some countries that at other times raised a voice of protest, arguing that iLtly was furnishing arms to their neighbours. They are always ready to protest to Geneva against this commerce and tho dangers of war, and should today be concerned for the defence oi their own possessions and not in creating military difficulties,” The article proceeds to state that “since arms are the first means of wai.

it is obvious that the warlike .spirit of Ethiopia has been kindled by the supply of suck arms, and the European countries concerned cannot escape from responsibility and direct complicity in the perilous state being cieated in Abyssinia and for the unforeseen developments that they may have. Those who desire peace should not furnish to tho irresponsible the means of violating it.” Abyssinian protest. The Abyssinian Government issued a Note of protest to tlio Italian Minister in Addis Ababa against the speech made by tho Italian Undersecretary for tho Colonies in the Italian Chamber of Deputies on May 7, according to an official communique issued by the Abyssinian Legation. The communique denies the Italian accusation that Abyssinia lias not executed the 1928 Treaty of Arbitration, and asserts that it is Italy who has repeatedly rejected tho Abyssinian offers of arbitration. It also denies the accusation that there is any barborous treatment by Ahyssinians of tlio inhabitants of the regions of Gallas, Somaliland and iSidamo. These, it is stated, have the same status as other legions of Abyssinia and are not treated as colonies. The communique argues that the Italian Under-Secretary of State, in his speech, ignored Italy’s obligations under tho 1928 treaty and as a member of the League of Nations to respect the political independence and torritonal integrity of Abyssinia.