FALL OF ADDIS ABABA

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 May 1936, Page 7

FALL OF ADDIS ABABA

ROAD OPEN TO ITALIANS EMPEROR RETURNS [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, May 1. “The Times’s” Addis Ababa correspondent'says that there are no Abyssinian troops along the direct route between Addis Ababa and Debrabrehan, which is 75 miles away from the capital, and which the Italians captured on Thursday. The correspondent says: “The fall of the capital is therefore inevitable: but resistance can be carried on elsewhere, west and north of the capital. Addis Ababa is full of motor cars, stacked with luggage, hastening to unknown destinations.”

The “Daily Telegraph’s” Addis Ababa correspondent says: The severest rains so far this season were falling as the Emperor, unexpectedly arrived in Addis Ababa, after a long- absence. He entered the town from the westward hills. The Emperor immediately summoned a full Council of his Ministers to decide whether to defend the capital or to move his seat of government to the westward. The widest excitement prevails. PREMATURE REPORT. (Recd. May 2, 8 a.m.) LONDON, May 1. Thb early morning report that a composite force of Italians, supported by artillery, had entered Addis Ababa, is discredited from all sources. Cable companies in London report they are still in wireless touch with Addis Ababa. The Italian Embassy described the report as premature. The Abyssinian Legation’s latest information is that the Italians are 60 miles away, and will take two or three days to reach the capital. ITALIAN JUBILATION. LONDON, May 1. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Rome correspondent says: Though the fall of Addis Ababa is not expected for some days, instructions have already been issued for nation-wide celebrations in Italy on the day that its capture is announced. The celebrations are to include a “victory speech” by Signor Mussolini. The Italian entry into the Ethiopian Capital will be announced by the ringing of church bells, and the sounding of sirens and whistles. All work will immediately cease. CHURCHILL AND SANCTIONS. LONDON, May 1. The “Manchester Guardan” understands that Mr. Winston Churchill, in a speech which he made to the Conservative Party’s Foreign Affairs Committee, favoured the abandonment of the Sanctions as against Italy. He argued that the Sanctions have proved useless, and have caused acute irritation. The paper adds: J.The. opinion is expressed that Mr. Churchill will soon repeat his remarks in the House of Commons. nothing that Mr. Churchill says or does at the present time is unimportant, and his new attitude may considerably influence the future of British policy. The Conservative Foreign Affairs

Committee are reported to have enthusiastically approved Mr. Churchill’s reasoning, and his conclusion. If the Committee is prepared to insist on the abandonment of the Sanctions the Government will probably agree.