FRENCH ENTERTAIN ITALIANS

Northern Advocate, 25 May 1936, Page 5

FRENCH ENTERTAIN ITALIANS

lUnited Press Association.-By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright .] (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, May 23.

The Rome correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” reports that messages from Addis Ababa describe a reception and dinner given by the staff of the French legation in honour of Italian officers.

M. Bodard, the French Minister, after ordering the Legation Band to play the “Fascist Hymn” . and “Tfye Marseillaise” made a speech in which he expressed sympathy with the King of Italy, Signor Mussolini and the Italian Army. The Minister said the Italians had brought order and civilisation to Abyssinia, and would bring prosperity to its people. The Italian guests, who included Dr. Bottai, president of the National Fascist Institute, were given a lengthy ovation. Rome already is claiming that M. Bodard virtually recognised the annexation of Abyssinia, but this is strongly denied in French official circles. Emperor Leaves For England. i A message from Haifa, Palestine, states that Haile Selassie, with the Empress and their family, before their departure from Jerusalem, visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, climbed Calvary, and prayed for the success of the Emperor’s mission. Haile Selassie left for England, accompanied by the Crown Prince, and Princess Taahai, also by Ras Kassa, on the cruiser Capetown. The cruiser will carry the party to Gibraltar, where they will tranship to the liner Corfu. Haile Selassie will stay in London at his own house at Prince’s Gate, near Hyde Park.