ITALY’S SHAM

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 232, 17 September 1935, Page 7

ITALY’S SHAM

“DELIBERATE WAR”

DUCE TURNS HIS BACK

Determination Before Pledges

WORLD OPINION DISREGARDED (By Telegraph-Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received 17, 8.55 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 16. “The Times’’ editorially says: “The Duce defends his determination to proceed with the most deliberate and most unnecessary war in modern history by reference to Italy’s huge efforts and sacrifices—in other words, lavish preparations —to invade Abyssinia. At the same time he advances the menace of “preponderation of Abyssinian forces, ’' which is a violently paradoxical description of the primitive community’s measures to reply to imminent aggression. “His irrefutable documentation of the Italian case cannot establish the right to aggression as being more sacred than the Italian pledges of peace. * 1 Signor Mussolini • launches Italy upon his adventure and turns his back on his obligations and upon the dissent and disapproval of the civilised world. “Demagogy, no less than democracy, cannot escape recourse to public opinion in the end.’’

ABYSSINIAN ARMY

Cannot Delay Mobilisation

ITALY AWAITING WEATHER

(Received 17, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 16.

The feeling at Addis Ababa is that, should the Conciliation Committee fail to solve the dispute, Abyssinia can no longer delay mobilisation. Haili Sellassio paid a surprise visit to the Women’s Work Association, where twelve princesses and other women were preparing dressings and bandages. Belgium is recalling her officers who went to Abyssinia to servo in the Ethiopian army. The strength of the Eritrean native troops, exclusive of the Assab region, is 53,000 in thirty battalions, with artillery and other services. One battalion and a camel corps are stationed at Agordat, while 30,000 Abyssinian irregulars are prepared to attack the Aussa road in the event of war. These troops, with those under the Crown Prince at Dessye, are divided into four armies, each ready io occupy the position left by the one iu front.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” Addis Ababa correspondents say it is believed that Italy will attack immediately the weather permits, regardless of the consequences to herself. Italy’s plea that additional reinforcements are essential because of Abyssinian mobilisation is regarded as mere camouflage, as the Emperor has not ordered general mobilisation, although he is prepared for it.

If Italy takes the offensive she will meet with a big surprise, adds the correspondent. Military experts have been very busy throughout the negotiations and the leaders responsible for the frontiers have Vigorously cooperated in preparations far superior to those for old-fashioned tribal warfare. OFFERS TO SERVE ETHIOPIA (Received 17, 9.55 a.m. 7 ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 16. The Government states that 5000 Irishmen have offered to serve in the army; also 3000 Frenchmen, hundreds of British citizens, Germans, Brazilians and Russians. Sarcely any are being accepted. ITALIAN AIR BASES Big ’Dromes in Eritrea (Received T 7, 11.45 a.m.) PARIS, Sept. 16. “Le Journal” discloses that Italy Sas three principal aerodromes in Eritrea, the largest 3000 by 2000 metres on the 1 Asmara plateau, capable of accommoI dating 350 aeroplanes. Two thousand workers have accomplished miracles in levelling hills containing 70,000 tons of granite. A 3J-mile aqueduct supplies water. GIBRALTAR PREPARES Harbour Closed: Planes Landed (Received 17, 12.15 p.m.) GIBRALTAR, Sept. 16. An official message says that an obstruction has been placed across the southern entrance of the Admiralty harbour, passages through which is prohibited. Hau kcr Demon two-seater aeroplanes are being unloaded at Valetta, and an V i aircraft batteries are being installed j at Malte, and Valetta.