UNFORTIFIED TOWN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 30 March 1936, Page 3

UNFORTIFIED TOWN

“BRUTAL AND STUPID” RAID RED CROSS HOSPITAL STRUCK (Received 3Cth March, 1.40 p.m.) ADDIS ABABA, 29th March. The bombardment of Harar was foreseen by the Abyssinian Government, which categorically denied the existence of fortifications and ' military preparations alleged in an Italian communique. • Foreign observers consider that the denial must stand. Jijiga admittedly is a military base, but the bombardment of Harar must seem brutal and stupid, injuring Italian interests, which consisted rather in encouraging; local feeling against’Ainharic governors. ■ It is officially stated that thirty-seven ’planes participated, using bombs and machine-guns.- The buildings destroyed included most of the French Catholic -Mission. Nevertheless the septuagenarian Vicar-Apostolic, M. Jarrousseau,- the Emperor’s..tutor, remained at. his post throughout the bombardment and escaped without a scratch.

Fifteen bombs, struck •’the Egyptian Red Cioss Hospital outside the city wall. The Abyssinian Red Cross, though farther away, was frequently hit by high., explosives thrown between the Swedish Hospital and the Consulate Mission. Both of these and all the hospitals visibly carried tlie Red Cross. Half of Harar is aflame as the night falls. Thousands of innocent, ignorant people are homeless and lost all their possessions. Ilarar is ail open town, therefore not a single anti-aircraft gun was present to open fire on the raiders. TWO ’PLANES BROUGHT DOWN Two Italian areoplanes were brought down.at- Quorum while diffusing mustard gas between 23rd inst. and 25th insfc., Wi« by Haile Selassie’s own hand. Ilaile Selassie has moved his headquarters to West Quornm on the direct line of the assumed Italian advance.