WHITHER?

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 March 1936, Page 7

WHITHER?

“A HELLISH THING” WOMEN AND CHILDREN BLINDED AND MAIMED ETHIOPIAN; RED CROSS PROTEST (United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 26th March, noon.) . LONDON, 25th March. In a telegram to “The Times,” Dr. T. A. Lambie. secretary of the Ethiopian Red Cross says: “The blinding and maiming of women and children as well as soldiers with the most dreadful of agencies—yperite, so-called mustard gas—should cause us to ask ourselves: ‘Whither?’ The splashing of a few drops of yperite on one’s clothing might easily pass unnoticed, as the burns are not felt immediately and the odour is indeterminate, yet one might, hours’ later, enter a, room and gas all the occupants. “No adjective is strong enough to describe the hellish thing. There will be a few thousand peasants groping their way down dark years because of a Dictator they had not heard of, hut whose decree for rutlilessness put out their eyes.”

SERIOUSLY BEGUN

THIRD PHASE OF CAMPAIGN ITALIAN ADVANCE FROM THE SOUTH (Received 2Gth March, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, 25th March. Unconfirmed reports state that the Italians are moving up the Fafan Rivet from the south and have occupied Sassabaneh, 20 miles from Dagghabur. Other sources suggest this is the beginning of a southern offensive in the hope of giving the Abyssinians a knockout blow.

“The Times” Khartoum correspondent says that Italian preparations for an advance parallel to the Sudan frontier toward Gondar were effected in complete secrecy. There is no doubt tht the third phase of the campaign, has seriously begun. One column crossed the Umhagar, marching to Nogar, and a second column is marching in the direction of Bircutan. The magnitude of the operations is indicated by the number of troops and all types of vehicles which are passing continuously near the Sudan. The nature of the western country enables the rapid advance of mechanised troops. Developments are likely to be swifter than on the northern front.

Ras Getacho is moving towards Dabat, but will take time to make contact.

CRY OF BLACKS V. WHITES

REPORTED ITALIAN OFFENSIVE IN THE SOUTH

PREPARATIONS FOR “KNOCK-OUT BLOW”

(Received 26th March, 12.45 p.m.)

LONDON, 25th March

“The Times” Addis Ababa correspondent states that contact has been reestablished with the Emperor after five days.

Haile Selassie instantly inquired if the Powers had replied to his protest against gas and was disappointed to hear that none had been received;

The Emperor commented on the use of yperite made for the first time in history by civilised whites against blacks, and only after Italy was certain of no further sanctions. He asks: “What can the most humane civilised African think of a Europe capable of such a crude atrocity ?” ■

“The Times” northern correspondent says that every prudent observer sees a present turning point in the relations between Africa and the West, and won. ders whether the appalling injury done without Western protest caji ever be repaired. Collective security in Ethiopian eyes will become a too threadbare mask to protect them from the white’s scientific horrors. “The Times” Addis Ababa correspondent says that the Women Workers’ organisation has devised a satisfactory gas mask. Working parties, led by Princess Tashi, are turning out thousands weekly.