ABYSSINIA’S COMPLAINT

Evening Star, Issue 22069, 1 July 1935, Page 9

ABYSSINIA’S COMPLAINT

UNABLE TO SECURE MUNITIONS STILL DESIROUS OF PEACE Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, June 30. (Received July 1, at 10 a.m.) The correspondent of the ‘ Sunday Times ’ at Addis, Ababa interviewed the Emperor, who declared that Abyssinia had been frustrated in her recent attempt to purchase munitions from France, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, and Denmark. Some shipments were being stopped at ports, although paid for. The Belgian Government explained that it thereby avoided reproach for participation in the rearmament of Abyssinia. The Emperor added indignantly: “Isn’t it worse to facilitate the accomplishment of Italy’s violation of treaties and coercion of a free people who are weak in all resources except the justice of their cause? Moreover, Italy is a great industrial country and is working day and night to equip her troops with modern weapons. Abyssinia is pastoral and agricultural, and cannot do more than purchase a few rifles and guns to prevent her soldiers entering war armed only with swords and spears.” A ‘ Sun ’ message states that the Emperor still puts his faith in the League and the big Powers to prevent war. “We cannot prejudge the Italian attitude, but our desire for peace is absolutely manifest. Abyssinia will accord purely economic concessions to private people or companies, but not to Governments. Italian citizens will be on an entirely equal footing with other foreigners. GREAT ITALIAN ARMY CONCENTRATING IN EAST AFRICA. ROME, June 30. It has been officially stated that 100,000 troops have arrived or are en route to East Africa. NO HOPE OF ITALIAN MANDATE STATEMENT BY EMPEROR. PARIS, Juno 30. ■ (Received July 1, at 11 a.m.) “ Italy is deceiving herself if she hopes to obtain a mandate over Abyssinia,” the Emperor told ‘Lo Matins’s ’ Addis Ababa correspondent, adding, “ even if some day Abyssinia comes under a mandate it will not be Italy who will bo the mandatory Power.”

The Wai Minister said the Abyssinian army numbered 350,000. It would be possible to mobilise nearly 1,000,000 men in 15 to 30 days.