ABYSSINIA

Evening Star, Issue 22032, 18 May 1935, Page 21

ABYSSINIA

OBSTACLES TO INVASION Few countries arc as well protected b.v natural defences against attack as Abyssinia. The loosely-knit Empire of Haile Selassie, the Lion of Judah, is a rock-bound stronghold surrounded by sandy deserts, having as its heart a plateau lifted a mile and a-half above sea level, with fertile plains interspersed by precipitous valleys and ragged mountain rangefi rising in some places to 13,000 ft (writes Sir Pereira) Phillips in the ‘ Daily Telegraph ’)■ Covetous eyes have been cast through the centuries on its undeveloped wealth, but by reason of its very inaccessibility the successive rulers, while submitting to temporary invasion by Mohammedan hordes, have maintained their independence and stubbornly resisted every attempt, however subtle, to bring them under foreign influence. The Italians have reason to know better than any other Power the difficulties of a campaign in this inhospitable and forbidding land. Only the other day their troops, on embarking for East Africa, were reminded of the crushing defeat at Adowa, when an expeditionary force bent on annexing the country was surrounded by 200,000 savage tribesmen of the high hills and cut to pieces. Out of 14,000 men less than onefourth survived to- tell of it. the memory of that day is kept alive by the warrior clans holding the Emperor of Aybssinia’s outposts. I witnessed the coronation review at Addis Ababa, five and a-half years ago. when these proud, defiant levies, led by a handful of European-trained troops in khaki, streamed past lor three hours. From time to time old men, waving scimitars or spears, m’oh*' ranks and rushed up the steep hillside to the Imperial dais, where Ihcv knelt with weapons held alolt and chanted a barbaric song of victory. They were

recounting stories of their exploits on the field of Adowa. j , Such is the spirit of Ethiopia. The border tribes cherish it strongest of aii. i ; • They \know nothing of diplomatic negotiations betwedn capitals and careless for the Emperor’s policy of conciliation, 1 HANDICAPS FOR TRADERS. Also, it is true, they know nothing of mechanised warfare or the devastating effect of aerial bombs. In open battle they would be at a heavy disadvantage under attack from the sky, no less than by modern machine guns. But one such experience, might be sufficient to change their tactics, and to create such a semi-invisible army of defence as fought unfior cover of the familiar heights of rock barring the road to Addis Ababa, and harried with deadly effect the invading columns composed of raw and inexperienced youths from the mobilisation depots of Italy, Any advance must be made upwards as well as onwards, from the unhealthy sun-baked wastes dividing the plateau from the sea. There are no roads worthy of the name, only caravan tracks, no villages of any size. Water is scarce in many parts of the hinterland, which is hostile to the last woman and child. Moreover, the Italians must face' the added handicap of \ altitude. Even when one goes slowly, the steady in-, crease in blood pressure ns one climbs to the rock-ribbed platform, which is the Promised Land, makes all movement difficult. Newcomers to Addis Ababa are warned to make as little exertion as possible during the first few days of their stay. The ears tingle uncomfortably, and the heart poupds as though it would burst if you suddenly begin to ascend one of the many steep streets of the capital. The Italian force now concentrating on the east will have to march nearly 200 miles before reaching the region marked by the disputed frontier. The greater part of this area is an . arid waste known as; the Ogadcn desert. Approximately another ISO miles inland lie the flanks of The plateau,

thrust like a gigantic promontory into the plain. Once they* begin, to climb through the passes they must push on for another 180 miles before reaching Harrar, the only town of any size in that part of Abyssinia. Harrar is itself the Capital of a province that has the status of a petty kingdom, and is ruled bv a Ras who. is supremo within his own boundaries. BARRIERS OF MASSIVE CLIFF. The Ras is no mean opponent, and can bo counted upon to defend the gateway to Addis Ababa to his last man. But before gaining his territory the invaders will- bo compelled to ftogotiate the eastern face plateau, which in places falls almost 4,000 ft sheer to the plain, with canyons splitting it\ haphazardly at many angles, necessitating constant steep ascents and descents before the platform is at last reached. An Italian expedition advancing into Abyssinia from Eritrea, on the lied Seu. would come against another barrier of rock, the massive escarpments of the Siemien Highlands. Some of the peaks are 12,000 ft in height, and their buttresses rise irregularly above undulating hills that are waterless and sparsely inhabited. The troops having survived the lowlying approaches to the Siemien range, known as the “ Bad Lands,” would find themselves first opposed by the uiiTulv Dankali tribesmen. These remote semi-brigands are only; under the nominal control of the.'capital. From tim'e immemorial they have resisted all authority outside their grazing -lands, oven w'hen the Emperor took to hanging them in bunches from convenient trees as a deterrent to brigandage. But they have always fought for him. and a foreign invader would find them solidly arrayed for battle. The only railway* in the country is a French-owned line connecting Addis Ababa with Djibouti, the' port of French Somaliland. It runs through wild and barren country, winding like :» serpent over gorges, and around steep mountains, and tbo light metregauge carriages careen from side to side at terrifying angles.

NAIUHML WtHUin. Owing to the proclivity of the tribesmen for tearing up the metals and removing the telegraph wires, the trains only run in the day time. Halts are made at rest houses overnight, and it < takes three days to reach the capital. ' Abyssinia is a rich prize for any invading army that'can hold it. There are deposits of gold, silver, platinum, iron, manganese, lead, and tin, but their extent has never been 'determined. The Emperor, like his predecessors, knows the, value of Ethiopa ■ underground, and Refuses to allow foreign prospectors to explore it. Jest , concessions for development# of its mineral Resources should be the first step to/ards domination by a foreign Power./ ■ Abyssinia is a cofintry full of’ poten- - tial wealth, with Nature as its ally against aggression; a treasure irons* locked since 'the beginning of time, and only to be opened by sheer force, involving what appears to be an incalculable expenditure of huma» effort and human blood.