FOREIGNERS EXPELLED

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 200, 21 May 1936, Page 9

FOREIGNERS EXPELLED

Trainload Sent From Addis Ababa TWO DAYS’ NOTICE Journalist Describes Experiences By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. (Received May 20, 7.15 p.m.) London, May 10 The correspondent of ‘‘The Times.’’ Mr. George Steer, telegraphing from Djibouti, graphically describes the circumstances surrounding the expulsion of foreigners from Addis Ababa. He declares that despite Marshal Badoglio’s assurances to Sir Sidney Barton, British Minister, that diplomatic privileges would be respected, a train-load of expelled foreigners, who had received two days’ notice to qu't, had arrived at Djibouti, including Major Moschopoulos, Haile Selassie’s director ■of counter espionage, Havas newsagency correspondents, also M and Mme. de ■ Robillard, sexa genarian conductors of the recentlysuppressed newspaper in Ethiopia. M. de Robillard, who is suffering from heart trouble, was forced to abandon 1.000,000 francs, the accumulation of a quarter of a century’s savings. Marshal Graziani ordered the deportation of Jarrousseau, Vicar Apostolic who remained at his altar during the bombardment of Harar, but Jarrousseau declined to be moved except at the point of the bayonet, and still re mains at his post.

Mr. Steer, who accompanied those expelled, was the guest of Sir Sidney Barton on May 13, when he noticed two Askaris lurking at the legation gates. An official ascertained that they wanted him for examination. Sir Sidney Barton told him to stay where he was and sought an explanation from Mario, son of Marsha] Badoglio, who piofessed utter ignorance, but sent an order next day telling Mr. Steer and his newly-married wife to depart by train. The Steers’ companions on the train journey were haled before a major of military police and exhaustively examined liefore they were expolled. The majority refused to answer.

•Mr. Steer was accused of being the chief intelligence officer for Haile Selassie, an armament seller, a road’ dynamiter and a gas carrier, but ne departed on May 16 with a small box containing such personal possessions as the looters overlooked. Mario Badog lio’s permit allowing him to take -160 Maria Theresa dollars was annulled at Dircdawa. en route to Djibouti, the authorities forcing him to exchange lhe coin for valueless notes. The British Legation grooms joined Sikhs in refusing to render the Fascist salute to Italians. Italians are expected to demand the removal of tile Sikh guard, whereupon they will enter the British Legation, as they have already entered other legations. DUMDUM BULLETS Italy Persists in Charge INCREDULITY EXPRESSED AT EDEN’S STATEMENT (Received .May 20, 9.35 p.m.) London, May 20. The Rome correspondent of ‘-The Times” says that Mr. Eden’s statement regarding dumdum bullets is reproduced with comments expressing complete incredulity. It is pointed out authoritatively that two Italian memoranda have been presented to Geneva in connection with the Abyssinian use of dumdum bullets, one general and the other specific. The reason why the latter had been withdrawn was simply because it was incomplete. It was added that the Italians have proofs that the statements already made about dumdum bullets are true. DUTCHMAN’S CHARGE Italians Used Dumdums London May 19. The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden's, exposure of the dumdum bullets allegation finds a connter-eharge by Dr. Winckel. head of the Dutdh Red Cross, that the Italians definitely used dumdum bullets and that his ambulance treated hundreds of Abyssinians who were thus wounded. Dr. Winckel confirms that poison gas demoralised the Abyssinians, who behaved like frightened children. MUST JOIN MILITIA Italians Between Ages of 21 and 55 Rome, May 19. Besides intensification of the self-suf-ficiency campaign to exclude products of sanctionist countries, the National Director of Fascists has decreed that all physically fit men between the ages of 21 and 55 years must be members of the militia in order to “confirm the inexhaustible war spirit of the Black Shirts.” He has also opened a public fund for a donation of £83.000 to build a monument to commemorate the creation of the Fascist empire. ITALIAN POPULATION Increase of Two Millions Rome, May 19. Preliminary results of the national census taken in April show a total Italian population, exclusive of 500.000 soldiers and workmen abroad, of 42,438.104. The population has therefore increased by 2.000.000 in the last five years.

Signor Mussolini has given an amnesty to 498 political exiles, "bo bare returned to the mainland from the penal islands.