INTERCESSION IN ADDIS ABABA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 269, 27 August 1935, Page 5

INTERCESSION IN ADDIS ABABA.

FOREIGN MERCHANTS IN PANIC.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE REFUSED

(Received This Day, 1.10 p.m.) LONDON, August 26. Mr Percival Phillips, “Daily Telegraph” correspondent at Addis Ababa, announces that the Swiss chef at-

tached to the Court, has taken a holi-

day in view of the Empress’ abstention from meat for a month, beginning today. (

Priests continue intercessory services..

Foreign merchants are panic-stricken by the refusal of the B ! ank of Ethiopia to sell exchange, as a result of which the thaler has fallen 4s in the pound. Many merchants are fleeing to the coast and others are closing their shops, t Hundreds of natives, appresendiug an early attack by air, are taking refuge in the hill villages, being accompanied! by their wives. The Italian Legation has dispatched its luggage to Djibouti, indicating eventual withdrawal. France is strengthening the railway defences. THE ATTITUDE OF THE EMPIRE. IN LINE WITH BRITISH VIEWS. (Received This Day, 1.10 p.m.) LONDON, August 26.

Whitehall appreciated the pledge by Mr ,J. A. Lyons of Australia’s utmost support in Britain’s efforts to maintain peace. While it is understood that the viewpoints of the individual Dominions have not been formally communicated to the Foreign Office, the statement by Mr Lyons, following on General Smuts’ declaration and the unequivocal announcement by Mr Forbes, is regarded as ensuring that the British line at Geneva represents the feeling of the entire Empire.

BRITAIN' AND SANCTIONS.

PERIL OF INDIVIDUAL ACTION.

(Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.)

SYDNEY, This Day

Mr W. M. Hughes, who was Prime Minister of Australia during, the Great War, discussing the Abyssinian situation, declared that the position was extremely serious and pregnant with incalculable consequences. “We are told that the British Government is determined to honour its obligations,” he said. “If this means that in the event of the League •'of Nations Council deciding, that Italy is in the wrong Britain single-handed will attempt to enforce an economic boycott on Italy or restrain her by direct action, a. situation will be created which may gravely imperil the existence of the British Empire. Intervention by armed forces composed of quotas furnished by all the members of the League is one thing; action by Britain alone is quite another. Britain is urged to intervene in this dispute between Italy and Abyssinia in order to maintain peace. No more certain way of loosing the dogs of war for another and still more terrible world conflict can be imagined.”

PEASANTRY BEWILDERED.

CANNOT VISUALISE AIR ATTACK

(Received: This Day, 9.50 a.m.)

LONDON, August 20.

Percival Phillips, writing to ‘The Daily ‘Telegraph” from Addis Ababa, says: “The ignorant peasantry remain bewildered and is unable to grasp the grim realities of an attack by air. For a week an Abyssinian aeroplane has been circling the city to accustom the natives to it. The police are explaining to them exactly what it does including ‘dropping weapons which make a big noise and destroy buildings.’ ”

ITALIAN STAFF APPOINTMENT.

(Received This Day, 1.1.0 p.m.) ROME, August 26. The Duke of Bergamo, at present commanding a brigade at Bolzano, lias been appointed to a staff post in East Africa.