SELASSIE LEAVING ABYSSINIA

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 185, 4 May 1936, Page 9

SELASSIE LEAVING ABYSSINIA

Boards Train for Djibouti Prior to Sailing for Palestine OUTBREAK OF DISORDER AT CAPITAL \ London Sees Flight as End of Organised Resistance By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (.Received May 3, 630 p-m.) London, May •2. The British United Press Paris correspondent says that the Government has been officially informed that Haile Selassie wi.l arrive at Djibouti on Sunday and board a British ship en route for Palestine, where he will be out of reach of the Italians and also near Abyssinia if his presence is needed. He will reside in France if forced into exile. It is emphasised that the Emperor has not abcicated and that a Minister has been empowered to negotiate in his absence. In view of the Emperor’s earlier announcement that he would resist the Italians approaching Addis Ababa, there was some scepticism early this morning concerning reports that he had left the capital en route to Djibouti, but a message received in official quarters in London from Sir Sidney Barton, British Minister at Addis Ababa, confirms the report that Haile Selassie and members of the Royal Family left in the early morning by train for Djibouti. The flight of the Emperor led to disorder, shooting and looting in the capital. The military guard in the barbed-wire compound at the British Legation has been strengthened and food and water sup plies taken in to provide for 3000 people. It is understood that nationals, including Indians, Somalis and 30 whites, are probably now under protection in the compound, which is four miles from Addis Ababa. The Emperor interviewed Sir Sidney Barton before his. night, which was not at the latter’s suggestion. He did not authorise Sir Sidney to act as intermediary, and Sir Sidney has not made plans for leaving Addis Ababa. It is possible that the arriving Habans may ask foreign legations, including the British one, to leave or Lie British may decide to leave, as a new Italian Government in .the city would be difficult for the British to recognise.. News of the Emperor’s flight is regarded in London ,as the end of organised resistance. Whether, having left, he is still head of the State of Abyssinia is an awkward question. ~ „ According to the diplomatic correspondent of the “Sunday I imes Haile Selassie has definitely abdicated and transferred control to his Ministers. The Emperor’s sudden change of mind was due to the men on whom he was relying for further efforts refusing to fight. Moreover, he was compelled to recognise that his personal safety might be endangered when journeying through a somewhat unfriendly portion of Abyssinia before he could reach a point where fresh resistance could be organised. It is believed that when Addis Ababa falls Marshal Badoglio, who will then control two-thirds of Abyssinia, will cease hostilities and demand the submission of chieftains who, presumably, will surrender.