ABYSSINIAN VIEW

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1935, Page 6

ABYSSINIAN VIEW

STATEMENT BY EMPEROR

LONDON, May 29

“Abyssinia is a peace-loving country and asks only to live in peace with her neighbours. Nevertheless, she is jealous of li'er rights and mindful of the rights of others, and will not countenance injustice,” states a message written in French by the Emperor of Abyssinia, Haile Selassie, and handed by him to a special representative of the Daily Mail, after a long interview to-day. Tile Emperor was interviewed while seated on a gilt throne, about which white spaniels played, in a magnificent new hall of audience, in his recentlycompleted pfflace • on a hilltop. fTilae palace is the only- sign of modernity in a city which is stilt feudal, nobles, peasants and priests making a medieval cavalcade in the streets.

The Emperor denied that Abyssinia possessed aeroplanes, tanks, poison gas or. heavy artillery. Her only modern armament was defensive, he said, and "as inadequate for aggression. He declared that ■ Italy Had consistently sprbad false reports, including one that Abyssinian Moslems would rebel in the event, of war.

‘‘She tried to embroil Britain and FranV4 against Abyssinia,” he said, “by 'a declaration that. I was recruit' ing Moslems in their and Italy’s territories. On the contrary, the Italians are attempting to subvert my Moslems. “I am pained and surprised that, in view of the Kellogg Pact, the Powers watch Italy arming on a scale that is incompatible with defence. I suggested in February. that the British should police the disputed area until the fi ontier had been decided, and I hope the idea will be adopted.” The correspondent adds that an investigation indicated that Abyssinia was not making large scale preparations for war. He saw only 1000 troops at reviews and inspections.