ITALY AND ABYSSINIA

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 24, 29 January 1935, Page 9

ITALY AND ABYSSINIA

THE FRONTIER TROUBLE

BRITAIN'S INTEREST IN LAKE TANA

(From ''The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, January 5. News from. Abyssinia is disturbing-. The Secretary-General of the League of Nations haa received a communication from the Abyssinian Government complaining of a further movement of Italian troops on the bordors of' her territory. An enlightening statement comes from a special correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" at Addis Ababa. Ho writes: — A dark cloud of international intrigue forms the background of the present uncertain situation in Abyssinia, where Italy is declared by Ethiopians to be desperately anxious for colonial expansion and plays the leadingl role. ■ Neither Italian Somaliland nor Eritrea are of much value in themselves, but tho incorporation of the intervening rich and undeveloped slice of the Ethiopian Empire' would mako all the difference. Abyssinia contends that she sees her downfall plotted, and is hoping that tho plotters will continue to disagree among themselves and so delay the onslaught. If, however, the worst comes, Ethiopians will sell their lives dearly. A rude shock, according to opinion here, awaits any attackers. . My arrival here coincided with the shooting of the Italian Customs guard at Gondar, and my inquiries reveal that the guard was not altogether blameless, though the Emperor immediately apologised to Italy afterwards. FEELING RUNS HIGH. The Abyssinians allege that Italy adopts the most truculent manner, in dealing with Ethiopian affairs, and consequently feeling runs high against Considerable concern is expressed hero as the result of the landing of j heavy military supplies by Italy both j in Eritrea and Somaliland. Tho Abyssinian inquiry to Italy it is claimed here- evoked an evasive Tcply, to. which Abyssinia answered by reiterating her desire to adhere to the Treaty of j Friendship she and Italy signed m, 1928 Today Eritrea and Somaliland are virtually barred to all save Italian iGovernment officials or Italians on oftcial business. Officers on a merchantman which called recently at Mogadishu informed me that they saw tanks,, guns, and cases of rifles and ammuni-! Son. landed at the wharf, while French merchants who visited Massawa,_ in Eritroa, a few weeks ago toll of similan- military preparations thero. They further assert that the size of tho air, foree at Massawa. is surprising.' Abyssinian spies state that roads are being built in both the Italian terntones to the .Abyssinian borders. She Italians give as their reason for fhe«» activities their fear that theAbvssinians will raid Somaliland. This seems unlikely, sinco the.Emperor,has far too many internal troubles on his hands, and though he is arming as fast as hi» limited means will permit, his obiect is stated to be defence, and Italy is the- last Power he wishes to provoke. SECRET UNDERSTANDING ALLEGED. I viititcd French Somaliland, where the current belief is that Italy and Franco have already achieved a secret understating, of which it is claimedby tho Ethiopians'tho main features ltitly 'to obtain a Protcctonito over Ethiopia by force, linking Eritrea and Somalilarfd; Italy tip- change her attitude towards Austria and to support tho pro-French Danubian Woe against Nazi expansions. . . Til ore is np means of confirming tins suggestion,, but it is obvious that Britain is most anxious to keep clear of any intrigues leading to such an understanding- Nevertheless, she is con-1 cerned becwuise the Blue Nile rises in i Lake Tana ivhere it would be possible. to erect a barrage deflecting the water | to the Dana&M desert.. Such a barrage i would bring .economic ruin to Egypt, sinco the Nifo water is vital to agriculture thero. Lake Tana is thus the focal point in tho Anglo-Abyssinian north-east shoulder .of Africa. The- Abyssinian official view is that Britain is ''temporising and evading the issue." Thus Britain to them is an "unknown quantity.*"