ABYSSINIA UNDER THE ITALIANS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 65, 9 December 1938, Page 5

ABYSSINIA UNDER THE ITALIANS

Conditions Peaceful UNMISTAKABLE HARM ON Y BETWEEN RACES Throughout my tour of Italian Ea.il Africa one of the things that surprised me most was the peaceful conditions which 1 found everywhere. The natives were working in the tiejds and crowding the markets, while tnules. donkeys and camels were carrying merchandise along the new roads and over the mountain passes. The Abyssiniaiis had quickly resumed their normal occupations. and almost invariably gave us cheerful greetings as we passed, says Major E. W. Tolson Newman, a noted authority on Abyssinia. Though there were large bodies of road workers. Italian and native, ami some of them were armed, there were comparatively few troops to be seen. There were scarcely any visible signs of the aftermath of war. and little to | indicate it newly-conquered country. Public security is maintained chiefly by the air force, but a division of regular troops is stationed in Addis Ababa, and militia and askari units are quartered at centres of strategical importance. Though there were no visible signs of discontent in any part of the country, the district of Shoa, near the capital, is still passively hostile and arms have to be taken from the people by force. Also, in parts of Amhara and Tigre the natives have not yet settled down to the new regime? and the surrender of arms is spasmodic.

Everywhere else I was impressed by the unmistakable harmony between the Italians and the natives, and this is most noticeable among the races previously under Amhara subjection. Even in remote districts of western Abyssinia armed escorts were unnecessary, and when provided they consisted of natives who had fought in the army of the ex-Negus. These native troops, now paid by the Italians, form part of the askari battalions or of native bands commanded by Italian officers. In the former ease the men are enlisted for two years and receive five lire a day, together with flour. They can have their wives and families with them in quarters or camp, and for this huts or tents are provided. In centres such as Addis Ababa, Gondar, Quorum and Dessie, I found j many- Abyssiniaiis working as servants in hotels and private houses, and as shop assistants in general stores. Others have found employment as messengers in Government offices and in various forms of unskilled work. Road-making Feats,

As my visit coincided with the season for ploughing and sowing, there were fewer native road workers than I had expected to find. They numbered about 30.000 in April, and they receive from 10 to 15 lire a day. according to the conditions under which they work. Any Friday they could be seen receiving their pay on the •■chit” system. The most remarkable achievement so far is the rapidity with which good roads have been built along the main. lines of communication. On these the vital supplies of the country depend. As the capacity of the Jibuti railway is very limited, the main line of supply is from Massawa by road transport to Asmara, Makelie, Quoram, Dessie and Addis Ababa. Along this road there is a heavy traffic of motor lorries day and night. . In April last year this road was finished, with an asphalt surface, from Massawa to beyond Makelie, and further on there was a good foundation with varying surface and asphalt in patches. Between Dessie and the capital the road through the mountains was only passable with difficulty. During the present rains damage to t any unfinished sections may cause delay and confusion, but there will very shortly be a complete asphalt road, ensuring a clear run through for passengers and goods. Other roads of immediate importance are now under construction.

There are, however, vast regions in the west and south-west, all of which are occupied and administered by the Italians, where European supplies have to be transported by air to supplement local produce. I spent a week in Saio, between Gore rrnd the Sudan frontier. This centre depends to some extent on military aeroplanes from Addis Ababa which cannot land after heavy rain—and it rains on and off in this district during nine months of the year. But during the four months when the Nile steamers reach Gambela, where there is a British concession on the Baro, supplies come up from the Sudan, and the Greek merchants lay in stores for the rest of the year.

Other Italian centres depend still more on aviation for European products till the roads connecting them with the capital are at least open for traffic. There is. therefore, a vast amount of road construction yet to be done, which will take many years to complete; but the heaviest task of vital communications is already past its most difficult phase.

One of the most remarkable changes is that brought about by aviation in a country where distances are great tnid where mule-tracks were previously the only means of travel. Two years ago it took -10 days by mule caravan to reach Saio from Addis Ababa. I covered this distance by aeroplane in two hours and ten minutes. By this means all outlying districts have been brought within easy reacli of an important centre. Dependence on Agriculture. Italian colonization can only follow on the establishment of communications. Judging from what 1 have seen of Amhara and Shoa. Harar, the Gajjam and Lake Tana region, as well as the immense region of the south and south-west, I am convinced that the agricultural possibilities are very great Though there is mineral wealth in Abyssinia, it is from agriculture that Italy will derive the greatest value. Italian colonization is of two kinds—general settlement of families for mixed farming and industrial colonization by companies. The parts best suited fo't general settlement are the regions be tween the high mountains and low plateau (b tween ,'JOOO feet ami 7500 feet), where the tempera lure is moderate and the rainfall high: but there are also favourable localities even in .he mountain regions, where the rarln'all is less. The best regions of till for settlement are in the State of Galla Sidama. where t lie soil is of exceptional fertility and the climate almost European, with plenty of rain and many rivers. Here almost anything will grow with rapidity, and two crops a year are quite usual. I have seen vegetable gardens that were fully productive one month after planting, and this in several

localities hundreds of miles apart. In the forest round Gimma. near Anfilo, and in the vicinity of the lakes, there is valuable timber; and all this

country is well suited for the raising of cattle and sheep. Many landscapes

closely resemble the English country side.

Though the amenities of modern life are gradually appearing in the capital and other centres, there is a considerable shortage of housing accommodation. Prices are high because of the cost of transport and the fact that the natives have not yet had time to increase ttieir -crops to meet, the new demand. Hitherto they have grown only sufficient to pay their taxes in kind and meet their daily needs. In most places there is plenty of water either at hand or a few feet underground, but its distribution is still inade<]uate to meet rhe everincreasing demand. Antiquated electrical plant still l:as to lie used in many cases, ami electric current is spasmodic. General stores. European shops, cinemas and restaurants are rapidly increasing in number, and are radically transforming the appearance of the principal towns. Though there is a shortage of building materials, specially lime, solid buildings tire in course of construction throughout the country.

With the abolition of the feudal system tin Italian central Government Ims lieen set up ar. Addis Ababa. Under the Viceroy are the governors of the States of Amhara. Eritrea. Harar. Galla Sidama and Somaliland; and there is also the governor of the district of Addis Ababa, which comprises the capital anil a part of Shoa, thereby dividing the region where there is most opposition to Italian rule. This system encourages bureaucracy, but most of the junior officials have little or no experience of colonial administration. and a new system lias to lie set on the rails. As tlie Italian supply of colonial officials is small, many posts have been filled by reserve officers with university degrees who served during the receni war. At tiresent the Viceroy and all the State governors are soldiers or sailors. Marshal Graziani tins great energy and determination. and is severe when occasion demands: but lie is highly-respect-ed by Urn natives and has a elm.rniinc personality. Intolerant of inefficiency, lie has the reputation of never "letting down" anvone who has served him well.

Another official popular with the natives is General Pirzio-Biroli. Governor of Amhara, whose popularity is partly due to personal interest in the affairs of individual natives who go to him with their grievances. Among the most experienced administrators is General Nasi. Governor of Harar, wito has served long in Taliya, amt was Italian Military Attache in Paris. As the country becomes more consolidated under the Italians, it is expected that a civil administration will gradually' be introduced.