ABYSSINIAN AIR FORCE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 25 July 1935, Page 5

ABYSSINIAN AIR FORCE

British, French and American Aviators Joining in August WEALTHY PRIVATE BACKERS AUSTRIANS OFFER ASSISTANCE (United PrfeSS Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyrigti?). Received 1.45 p.in. to-day. NICE, July 24. Four British and eight French and American aviators are going to Abyssinia in August. The leader is Hal Dubcrrier, of Chicago, who says they will constitute the nucleus of a foroign air force, with German and Dutch aeroplanes awaiting them on arrival The enterprise had wealthy private backers. “The Times” Vienna correspondent quotes an evening newspaper statement that Austrian legionaries, preferring Africa to their present, existence in German concentration camps, will fight for Abyssinia. Several hundred embarked from Bremen. The newspaper denies that vr Seliuschnigg intends that thousands oi Storm Troops should go to Africa to reinforce the Italians in the event of

At question tinie in the House _ of Commons, Sir Samuel Hoare, refening to the supply of arms to Italy and Abyssinia, stated that he was not in a position to say what action had been taken bv Belgium, Czeclio Slovakia and other countries, but according to his information France had prohibited the export of war material to Italy and Abyssinia, while the Swedish Government had received no applications for export licenses. • Mr "Walter Runciman stated that no license whatever had 'been issued for the export of arms to either Italy or Ethiopia during the past four mouths There had not at any time since the signing of the treaty of 1930 between the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, France and Italy been any difference in the treatment given to Italy and Ethiopia, except as arose from the provisions of the treaty itself. The importation ol arms and munitions of war and aircraft into Ethiopia was subject to the production of an export license issue by the country of export after presentation to its authorities of an authorisation by the Ethiopian Government for imports into Ethiopia. According to the newspapers, such authorisation bv the Abyssinian Government had not 'been forthcoming in tbe case of ordeis which some British firms uroundcr stood to have received for delivery to Abyssinia. The Times Rome correspondent sajs that the action of Count Gighncct (Italian Ambassador at Addis Ababa) in not attending the Emperor’s birthday celebrations does not indicate a rupture in diplomatic relations The Italian consuls at Harrar and Gondar. probably owing to. the inaccessibility of the interior, making etiquette mere politic, attended local birthday celebrations. The Times Addis Ababa correspondent’savs the Government is preparing the reply to tho Italian Note regarding the conciliation commission, statin*? that if the fifth arbitrator cannot be” appointed, tho League Council should appoint an impartial commission to decide tho whole dispute. Feelinn- is much more hopeful locally, owimAo a belief that the fall m the lira handicaps Italian borrowing ani purchase of raw materials, presages peace, or merely a short war.