WRITING HISTORY AMERICAN NATIONALS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 7, 8 July 1935, Page 9

WRITING HISTORY

AMERICAN NATIONALS

between 4000 and 5000 strong, and with a brigade of 5300 men in reserve. Al! the divisions save one were chiefly composed of Italian troops. But there was an error due to the topography of the country, and the divisions were attacked separately and overwhelmed by the Abyssinians, who numbered nearly 100,000. and were well armed with rifles and artillery.

The battle, or rather series of engagements, ended in a rout, the Italians losing 4600 white troops and 3000 native soldiers in casualties and nearly 3000 prisoners. Two of the divisional leaders were killed and one captured. The Abyssinians have admitted the loss of 3000 men, but some Italian writers have claimed that-their losses were as high as 17,000. General Barratieri attempted to throw the blame for the defeat upon hisjxoops, but subsequent inquiry failed tcrestablish this as true.

PRECAUTIONS IN ABYSSINIA

WASHINGTON, July 6.

Regarding the reported evacuation of American nationals in Abyssinia, the State Department declared that it had authorised Mr. William' George, Charge d'Affaires at Addis Ababa, to take what precautions he thought necessary.

There are about 125 Americans in the country, of whom 110 are missionaries of various faiths. It appears, however, that some will • not heed the warning from London.

Mr. T. A. Lambie, American director of the Ethiopian Mission' Service, has advised headquarters here that 50 missionaries of his organisation would ignore any orders or suggestions to evacuate. "We put our faith in God and do not expect consular protection," he said. He added that he believed there was no danger from bombing aeroplanes.