EMPEROR'S CALL TO ARMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 235, 4 October 1935, Page 7

EMPEROR'S CALL TO ARMS.

ANCIENT DRUMS GIVE WAR ALARM. EXHORTATION TO RALLY TO DEFENCE. (Received 12.30 p.m.) ADDIS ABABA, October 3. The thunderous voice of Abyssinia's centuries-old Nazarit Drum the gigantic lionskin instrument which initiates the war alarm, carrying messages to other war drums throughout Ethiopia was aroused twice to-day. On the first occasion it proclaimed general mobilisation in response to Italy's unheralded offensive, and on the second, at the end of the Emperor's proclamation, it was sounded thrice, reiterating Haile Silassie's injunction, "Arise. Take up arms. Repel the invader. The boom of the war drum caused excited crowds to assemble at the Palace calling on the Emperor to show himself to his people. Eventually His Majesty appeared on the balcony. He warned his hearers it would be a serious conflict, but nothing would stop his warriors. When God granted a victory his soldiers would be given Eritrea and Italian Somaliland as recompense for their services. The Emperor's proclamation declared that Italy, renouncing her signature on the League Covenant and the Italo-Abyssinian Treaty, was stultifying all international agreements, especially the pact renouncing war. She had prepared for the second time to violate Abyssinia, causing a revulsion of world opinion. He added: "The hour is grave. Arise everyone and take up arms; rush to the defence of your country. Rally your chiefs and obey them single-heartedly. Repel the invader. "Those unable, owing to infirmity or weakness, to actively share in the sacred quarrel must help with their prayers. God will be with us. Forward all for your Emperor and country." The mobilisation proclamation was heard in grim silence, then there was pandemonium, with the beating of drums and the yelling of "Death to Italy!"