BOUND FOR THE FRONT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 250, 22 October 1935, Page 7

BOUND FOR THE FRONT.

War Has Not Yet Begun.

ABYSSINIAN REINFORCEMENTS.

IMPERIAL GUARDS MARCH OUT OF CAPITAL.

United Press Association. —Copyright. —Rec. 1.30 p.m.

LONDON, October 21.

"The Times" Addis Ababa correspondent states that 3000 smartly-uniformed and well-equipped Imperial Guardsmen marched out after the Emperor embraced 40 officers, shook hands with Belgian instructors, and exhorted the men to fight to the death. New drafts numbering 7000 accompanied the Guards, including 1000 cavalry and 800 muleteers, carrying mountain artillery, machine guns and anti-aircraft guns. All took the caravan road to Debra Markos.

On the parade ground earlier there was a valedictory review. Crowds of soldiers squatted, drinking tea and coffee and farewelling their families without emotion. The Emperor, under a red umbrella, looked on through the gate, while the Empress watched from her curtained limousine. Priests watched curiously from Entoto Mariam Church.

Another force will proceed to Dessey as the van of the regular soldiers following Ras Mulugueta, who left early in the morning, the women folk following them out of town. The soldiers moved easily, using tent poles for walking sticks, their sandals hanging over their shoulders and with clinking pots and pans dangling against the mules' harness.

One hundred and fifty ammunition mules left for Dessey in the week-end, while others are tethered in the courtyard in readiness for the Emperor's projected journey north, though the Emperor personally travels by motor. Few Abyssinians consider that the war has really begun until the Emperor takes the field, and news of his departure will arouse tremendous enthusiasm.