WAR PLANS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 298, 30 September 1935, Page 5

WAR PLANS

ABYSSINIA READY AVOIDANCE OF PITCHED BATTLE. . DISPOSITION OF THE TROOPS. 6DO IN EVERY THREE SQUARE MILES. ITALIANS STILL POURING IN. (United Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.40 p.m.) LONDON, (September 29. It is reported from Addis Ababa that the Abyssinians are planning to concentrate 600 soldiers on every three square miles of the threatened territory, thus dopriving the Italians of the possibility of a pitched battle. Meanwhile 9000 additional troops, comprising the Gran Sasso Division, under the Duke of Bergamo, cousin of King Victor Emanuel, has sailed from Taranto, bringing the total for the last 10 days to 50,000. An Italian Foreign Office spokesman, referring to the Elmporor Haoli kelassie’s threat to mobilise, pointed out that Abyssinia was always in a virtual state of mobilisation, the Abyssinians having for many years massed troops on the borders of Eritrea and Italian Somaliland. An early outbreak of hostilities would favour Italy, because the waterholes are full and the Ahyssimans are under-nourished. Moreover, war would prevent a full harvest.

SUMMONS BY DRUMS. CHAIN THROUGHOUT COUNTRY. PROVINCIAL MOBILISATION. (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, September 29. A “Times” copyright message from Addis Ababa discloses that the Abjssimian delegation at Geneva telegraphed to the Emperor confirming the previous opinion that war was imminent, upon which Haeli. Selassie ordered provincial mobilisation, confined to the frontiers, without disturbing the central provinces. Mobilisation of the centre is necessary because it takes 20 days for troops to take up support positions behind the northern frontier troops. The front line troops have been well- placed for some time, but the difficulties of supplies prevented the dispatch, until the last moment, of troops to form the second line, which must bo extremqly strong. Moreover general mobilisation is necessary before a levy on the national forces is made. Therefore, when mobilisation is begun, probably next week, it will be carried out with the highest ceremony. It will be heralded by Royal drums of lion skin, each of which is four men’s burden. The twin drums of Ras Kassa of Gondar, who is' nearest the throne, will take up the summons, communicate it to the great single drums of the provincial commanders, until every drum in Ethiopia is rolling in order to notify the warlike peasants in the remotest provinces, who are still unaware that war is afoot and that then country’s hour has come. Maor Dothee, chief of the Belgian military mission, has resigned. Geneial Bergin (the Emperor’s Swedish adviser) is departing on account of illness. OLD BIBLICAL FEAST. ONE DAY OF FREE SPEECH. A BARBARIC SPECTACLE. (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, (September 28. The special correspondent at Addis Ababa of the “Sun-Herald” describes the scenes at Mascal when the Abyssinians celebrate the Biblical feast of the first fruits before their Emperor in the same manner as their forefathers celehrated it before the Queen of Sheba. Maseal is the one day of free speech in Abyssinia, the Emperor becoming only a figurehead. On a special throne in Mcnclik Square he sat for five hours to-day, while blood-lusting warriors, in teeming rain, came whooping befoie him, brandishing spears, swords, knives and guns, and scqeechingly telling him what they would do to their enemies. Some hurled insults at him for delaying war, but Haile Selassie sat imperturbedly through it all. Simultaneously thousand's of warriors including the Imperialist Guard at the Old Palace, were tearing rawmeat with swordlike teeth. To-morrow big-chested warriors will hand each other flowers and; perform a Maypole dance in the presence of the Emperor. Attended by the black court, the latter will be dressed in all manner of uniforms, from that of a Swedish admiral to that of a Russian general.

SUEZ CANAL AND SANCTIONS. INTERNATIONAL LAW OBSCURE. LONDON, September 29. The “Daily Herald” says a special meeting of the Suez Canal directors is being held in Paris next week-end

to discuss the situation in view of the possible application of sanctions. Britain will be represented by Lord Cromer and Sir lan Malcolm (Government directors) and France by M. Gaston Doumergue, General M. Weygand and others.

Though the 188 S convention immunised the canal from a naval blockade, internationalised it, and also declared that it should be open in peace and war without distinction of dag, many international lawyers hold that Article XX. of the League Covenant, which abrogates all international conventions inconsistent with itself, could also abrogate the Canal convention. It is further assumed that if the canal were closed Italian supply ships could be prevented from penetrating the Straits of Gibraltar on the alternative route round South Africa.

A THREE-POWER CONFERENCE.

MUSSOLINI WILLING TO ATTEND. STATEMENT TO FRENCH PAPER. (Received This Day, 1.25 p.m.) 'LONDON, September 29. Interviewed by the ‘‘Petit Journal,” Signor Mussolini announced his willingness to take part in a three-Powei conference similar to that held at Stresa a. few months ago.

WAR RISK INSURANCE. ON SHIPPING VIA PANAMA. NEW ZEALAND CARGO AFFECTED (United Press Association —Copyright). (Received This Day, 1.25 p.m.) LONDON, September 29. The marine underwriters have extended to sailings via Panama the war risk rate of 18d per cent, on cargo and Is per cent, on specie. They have also placed a new rate of 6d per cent, on cargo and specie to Australia and New Zealand.

MOBILISATION DELAYED. THE EMPEROR’S DECISION. SUCCESS OF SANCTIONS EXPECTED. LONDON, September 28. The circumstantial story from Addis Ababa, on the general mobilisation, of troops in Abyssinia, has been officially denied. A special message to “The Times’ this morning reveals that the mobilisation was not general in the interior, but it was partial, Yesterday activity was limited to the frontiers facing Italian territory, and it is believed that it is impending in the south-west areas of Gore and Maji. However an official dispatch from Addis Ababa repeats the categorical denial that general mobilisation has been decreed. Sir Percival Phillips, Addis Ababa correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” reports that the Emperor will refrain from general mobilisation until he is absolutely certain that the dangers to his frontiers can no longer be averted. He is waiting for further advice from his European observer, and only when they assure him that the last word has been said will he call on every Abyssinian capable of bearing arms to rally to the defence of the country. He believes that even if the entire weight of the Italian forces now assembled in East Africa is thrown against him, he would be able, by skilfully carried out guerrilla operations to prevent a decisive result for the first three months. After that Italy would be expected to collapse economically and financially under the weight of sanctions, which it is assumed, would by then be applied. Air raids on Abyssinia will not win the war for Italy, Sir Percival declares. Abyssinia is the only country in the world with a movable capital. The present one has no historic significance, and can be readily changed without impairing the natives’ morale. The principal sufferers in such raids would be the European community, which carries on the bulk of the trade and commerce.

NOT LEAVING LEAGUE YET.

ITALY’S ADVANCE TO BRITAIN. $ QUESTION OF “RIGHTFUL CLAIM” ROME, September ‘2B. Signor Mussolini presided at a Council of Ministers. The communique issued after the meeting Says it was decided that Italy was not going to leave the League of Nations until the League assumed full responsibility for measures against Italy. Toie communique adds that Italian policy has no immediate or remote aims likely to injure British interests. On the contrary, Italy is ready to negotiate an agreement harmonising their legitimate interests in East Africa, and will avoid action extending the Abyssinian conflict to Europe. However, it cannot take seriously the Emperor's withdrawal of troops from the frontier, which has a strategic, not a pacific object, and masks preparations in the interior fortifying Ethiopian troops in stronger positions. Consequently sailings of Italian divisions have been accelerated. The communique emphasises the nation’s calmness and support for the T'ascist regime, which, it says, will shortly show the world a thorough civil mobilisation unprecedented in history. Italy is not taking the initiative at Geneva, where hot rights have been

disregarded from the outset, the Ministers claimed.

Tlie communique is interpreted as an appeal to Britain to reconsider her attitude toward Italy’s “rightful claim.” Commentators emphasise its friendliness to Britain, and also the unusual procedure of pointing out to the “British people, in spite of the efforts of anti-Fascists to mislead them,’ Italy’s readiness to negotiate over British interests in East Africa. Nevertheless, the newspapers have resumed their attacks on Britain.

NO TURNING BACK. MUSSOLINI’S DETERMINATION. PARIS, September 28. “I have reflected well, I have weighed everything,” declared Signor Mussolini, interviewed by the Rome correspondent of the “Petit Journal.” “Two hundred thousand of our sons have sought honour hv going to East Africa to serve, if necessary to die. Who would bring them hack before they have obtained the fruits of their heroism and sacrifice?”

REBUKE TO ABYSSINIA.

SOME COMPLAINTS WELL FOUNDED. COUNCIL’S REPORiT FORECAST. LONDON, September 27. The Associated Press correspondent at Geneva says that Britain took the lead at the meeting of the Committee of Thirteen, advocating the adoption of the Emperor’s proposals and the dispatch of neutral observers. It is understood that Mr Eden does not regard the difficulties as insuperable. The Experts’ Committee will probably be limited to ten. Britain does not desire representation for fear of increasing Italian complaints that she is taking a preponderant share. The Council, after defining the general lines of the dispute, will leave specialists to present the historical aspect. It is already manifest that a number of the Italian complaints are so well founded that the Council’s report is likely to rebuke Abyssinia to some extent. “IS IT WORTH WHILE?” BRITISH QUERY OF ITALY. LONDON, September 2,7. In a speech at a mercantile dinner aboard the new liner Orion, ]\lr J. Ramsay MacDonald said that Britain was not an enemy of Italy and did not desire to quarrel. No nation was more single-heartedly or with greater sincerity working for peace than Britain. He asked Italy, was it worth while? WITHDRAWAL FROM FRONTIER. THE LEAGUE’S APPRECIATION. GENEVA, September 28. The League Council has telegraphed to the Emperor of Abyssinia appreciating his decision to withdraw his troops 20 miles from the frontier in order to avoid the possibility of untoward incidents.