Italians to Leave Ethiopia

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 290, 6 December 1941, Page 8

Italians to Leave Ethiopia

REPATRIATION PLANS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Dec. 4. ~ The following announcement has bejen issued from the office of the Deputy - Chief Political Officer in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia: “As soon as the existing British military interest in Ethiopia has been liquidated, the British forces will withdraw. Hitherto the British have organised where necessary at their own expense the feeding, housing, and employment of Italian non-combatants, and as far as possible have looked after thegr interests. The Italians, therefore, must be moved before the British forces leave Ethiopia. “Move<l by humanitarian considerations, the British Government has approached the Italian Government with proposals for their repatriation to Italy. These proposals are likely to be brought to a successful conclusion. Men unfit for military service, women and children will be taken to Italy in Italian liners. Pending the arrival of these ships, they will be collected at a number of points where special camps £rc being prepared with every regard to the occupants’ health and welfare. Eight thousand persons due to sail for Italy in February will be moved to these camps before embarkation. The first move will be made on December 22. “Mqn of combatant age will be evacuated to accommodation prepared for them in British East Africa. The first batch of these men are leaving Addis Ababa on December 5 for © special camp in British Somaliland and are probably to embark during the coming month.

“Every-effort Is being made to ensure that the removal of Italians from Ethiopia is carried out with due regard to the health and comfort of the men women, and children.**