“Will Cross Border To Drive Italians Out”

Northern Advocate, 14 January 1941, Page 6

“Will Cross Border To Drive Italians Out”

-HAILE SELASSIE (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON. January 13. ”X HE TIME IS NOT FAR DISTANT WHEN I WILL CROSS THE BORDER AND LEAD AN ARMY OF PATRIOTS AGAINST THE ITALIANS,” DECLARED THE EMPEROR OF ABYSSINIA (HAILE SELASSIE) IN AN INTERVIEW. “The days of Italy, my former ally, which betrayed mv country, are numbered. “They have built fine roads, and killed and enslaved thousands of Abyssinians, but they have not broken their spirit. I look forward to the liberation of Abyssinia, and the establishment of a just and constitutional Government.

Drums Roll Message. “The royal war drums that sound nightly from the hilltops in Goja, also along the frontier, are mine. “They sound a particular signal. When they are sounded, my people know I am near.

The Abyssinians are told that if they desert they will be shot when they are returned to Italian hands.

Trouble in Jibouti,

The Aden correspondent of “The Times” reports an unhappy situation in France’s colony of Jibouti, where everything is rationed and trade is at a complete standstill. The Italian secret police have spent money lavishly in maintaining a swarm of informants, and the arrest of many respectable French and other European citizens, at the instigation of Italians has caused great indignation.

“Hundreds of my former soldiers, understanding the message of the drums, are deserting and rallying to the standard raised at Goja by Ras Mongasha, my faithful commander.” The Emperor is at Khartoum, and for a month has been receiving' a Constant stream of Abyssinian tribesmen who have evaded the Italian frontier patrols. They have held conferences with Haile Selassie and returned to their villages with instructions and arms.

The people of Jibouti are wholeheartedly united in their dislike of the Italians, and incidents frequently occur. '

Trouble for Malians,

Anti-Fascist Feeling,

While the British continue their ceaseless aerial and artillery bombardments of Tobruk, events elsewhere in Africa demonstrate Italy’s precarious hold on her rebellious Empire. .

Italians now wear mufti in order to escape the sneefs of the public.

Four Italian officers were taken to hospital suffering from knife wounds received in wrangles over Marshal Badoglio’s resignation, and the Fascist war policy, which culminated in a free fight, Anti-Fascist feeling and discontent are reported to be growing stronger among all Italians in Abyssinia, as they fully appreciate their perilous position, cut off from help from outside and surrounded by enemies inside and outside the country.

The Italians in East Africa ,are now forced to use a new form of blackmail in order to stem the flow of deserters entering the British lines. Italian officers tell Abyssinian conscripts that Italy will shortly be making : peace with Britain, one of the conditions of which will be an exchange of prisoners.