A DREAD ISSUE

Northern Advocate, 13 August 1935, Page 5

A DREAD ISSUE

CIVILISATION AT STAKE WAR MUST BE AVERTED. GENERAL SMUTS'S WARNING. [United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph,.—Copy rig h t. ] (Received 11.30 a.m.) CAPETOWN, August 12. General Smuts, in an interview, said he considered that the whole system of civilisation would be shaken to its foundations if the League failed to avert war. The world would then revert to the old system of alliances, and Europe would be divided once mere into hostile camps. A great conflict in Africa on the borders of British territory must lead to serious repercussions and raise anxious feelings between white and black peoples, with serious results. “There is no doubt that there are some points of contact between Abyssinia and Japan, as yet undisclosed,” he added. “In some curious way, the African question may get linked with the Asiatic. It is quite possible for Italy to overwhelm Abyssinia at first with her aeroplanes and gas, but it is another thing to occupy the country.” A message from Addis Ababa says that the Emperor, Haile Selassie, in a speech, said that the danger of war was becoming more and more serious, but Abyssinia still placed her hopes in the League, especially in Britain, which had always been ready to defend the rights of other nations. “If war comes,” the Emperor said, “Abyssinia will defend the country to the . last drop of blood.” BLOOD CURDLING REPORTS. ITALY’S DEATH RAIN FROM AIR. CAN ABYSSINIA WITHSTAND IT? (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 12. The “Sun-Herald” representative says" that the flesh of the nation tends to creep at the repeated stories from Rome of the terrible efficiency of the Italian army and air force and the likelihood of the decimation of the Abyssinians, who are preparing for the conflict by sharpening swords and oiling obsolete muskets. General Smuts has warned the Italians that they may bite off more than they can chew, seeing it is one thing to overwhelm the country, and another to occupy it, but air circles have no doubt that when the Italians release the bloodiest air terror in history it will bring the campaign to a swift climax. , The most decisive factor is expected to be a fleet of high-powered bombers dropping 600 tons of high explosives daily, thus shattering Abyssinian resistance and driving their forces back, to permit unrestricted advance of the Italian ground army. At the beginning of 1935 Italy possessed 1507 front line aeroplanes, but the Air Force has been considerably reconstituted since, including the construction Of bombers. The Abyssinians have a handful of fighting machines, mostly of antiquated types, which could offer only the weakest resistance against the Italian planes.

An interesting story by ani Abyssinian nobleman, detailing his country’s preparations for war, appears en page 2.