BRUTAL TREATMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 25 May 1936, Page 5

BRUTAL TREATMENT

BRITISH RED CROSS OFFICER ITALIAN METHODS IN ABYSSINIA STORY TOLD BY “THE TIMES” CORRESPONDENT (United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, 24th May. A copyright message from “The Times” Djibouti correspondent says that Warrant Officer L. J. Bunner tells a remarkable story of official brutality. He was passing his luggage through the Customs at Diradawa on 15th May preparatory to entraining, when he was told that the Police Commondant doubted his identity. . The Consul, Mr Chapman Andrews, interviewed the Italian General on Bunner’s behalf and Bunner returned to Harar, believing all was well. He was arrested on entering the train on 16th May and' crossexamined for three hours through an interpreter by a staff colonel, staff captain, and Intelligence Captain Lucetti, in the presence of squads of police. A ten-year-old Abyssinian boy denounced him as Rudolf Brunner, an Austrian captain and' chief of the Abyssinian intelligence service, as if such an organisation was conceivable. Brunner’s personal documents were examined. His passport had P ie " ceded him to Djibouti, but his Red Cross identification papers were given so little credence that a passport would hardly have fared better. Captain Lucetti, holding an imaginary pistol to his own head, declared it was a matter of life and death, adding significantly “To-morrow.” The tribnual refused to call in Mr Chapman Andrews, declaring that he was only consul to Haile Selassie and no longer enjoyed diplomatic status. A remainder of the hearing was carried on in Italian and was not interpreted. Bunner was refused a bed and blankets and was marched to prison, namely, a small incinerator. He slept on the floor and was again interrogated on 17th May. “The Times” correspondent informed the British authorities at Djibouti.

STILL HELD BY ITALIANS LONDON, 23rd May. A telegram from Djibouti states that Dr. Emtey, head of the British Red Cross unit, and Brunner, have not yet been released. The unit is remaining at Diredawa as a protest. RELEASE ANNOUNCED (Recejved 25th May, 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, 24th May. The Foreign Office has received news that Brunner has been released and is now in Djibouti undergoing anti-rabies treatment. ■ EMPEROR OF ETHIOPIA EMBARKS FOR ENGLAND (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) HAIFA, 23rd May' Haile Selassie left for England on the cruiser Capetown this afternoon. Before his departure from Jerusalem, Haile Selassie", the Empress and family visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and climbed Calvary and prayed for the success of their mission. Haile Selassie left for England accompanied by the Crown Prince, Princess Taahai and Ras Kassa. H.M.S. Capetown will carry the party to Gibraltar, from where they will tranship to the liner Corfu. They will stay at Haile Selassie’s London House in Prince’s Gate, near Hyde Park.