STILL UNCONQUERED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 22 June 1936, Page 5

STILL UNCONQUERED

ABYSSINIAN GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONING TROOPS STILL MOBILISED PREPARATIONS FOR GUERILLA WARFARE ITALIAN SUCCESSES MINIMISED (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 22nd June, 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, 21st June. The Abyssinian Association urges the continuance of trade sanctions against Italy and is issuing a memorandum under the names of Sir George Paish (chairman), and Professor Jevens (secretary), declaring that despite Mr Anthony Eden’s professed ignorance of it, the Abyssinian Government is functioning at Gore over a large portion of the country. Trade is normal and troops are still mobilised and remain loyal to the Emperor. Some 140,000 squares miles of western Abyssinia are' unoccupied, the parts actually occupied being held by skeleton Italian forces. Italy’s annexation and proclamation was mere propaganda and should be so treated. Economic pressure alone could force her to make terms and evacuate the territory which should then remain under the League’s protection.

The latest information casts doubt on the sweeping success of the Italian campaign. A European officer of the Abyssinian army who arrived at Cairo asserts that Dedjazmatches Habte, Mariam, and Makonnen are forming a provisional Government with tribal chieftains, who are ready to resist an Italian invasion. i The Gallas are now realising that their rich lands are threatened and Will defend them at all costs. Ras Imru and Ras Desta are retiring on to Gore with their armies in good order in preparation to launching guerilla warfare. They are aware that the heavy rains which are now falling must hamper Italian aircraft. George and Sirak Herouy, educated respectively at Oxford and Cambridge, the sons of the Abyssinian ex-Foreign Minister, will help to lead the tribesmen.

Djibouti, dispatches announce that the Italians occupy only the principal towns. The greater part of the huge areas between remain defiant and unconquerable. Shooting proceeds nightly, even at Addis Ababa, where the rains continue.

Despite continuous executions by the Italians, General Graziani admits heavy casualties and the destruction of army lorries on the Addis AbabaDessie road. He has warned the Abyssinian leaders who have submitted, that this must cease, otherwise the Italians will declare a general annihilation. Local finances are in a chaotic state.

WILL NOT ABDICATE HAILE SELASSIE’S DETERMINATION COLLECTIVE SECURITY AND LASTING PEACE LONDON, 20th June. “There is no question of my relinquishing the crown of Abyssinia either now or in the future. To abdicate would be an act of cowardice towards my native land and gallant people who, whatever Italians say, are still loyal and faithful to their rightful Emperor,” declared the Negus in a special interview with the “Daily Mail.” He said it would not be fitting or proper for him to criticise - the British Government’s policy, but if the League now decided to abandon sanctions it might mean the fall of Geneva. “A policy of collective security was only capable of bringing lasting peace if it were honestly applied by all members of the League. Any modification of the. Covenant without prior settlement of the present conflict is destined to failure from the outset.” The Abyssinian Legation in London claims that the Emperor is still receiving messages from the Regency Government in Western Abyssinia. “The messages show that the Government is in control. Everything is normal and the civil population and troops are loyal.”

ASKARI DESERTERS . i ESCAPE FROM INTERNMENT CAMP REFUSAL TO SURRENDER (Received 22nd June, 9.50 a.m.) NAIROBI, 21st June. A patrol of the King’s African Rifles pursued and located thirty-one Italian askari deserters who escaped from an internment camp in the Sudan. They refused to surrender and British troops shot three and captured twentyfour. The others plunged into a river and fled mto the bush. Three were drowned and one was killed by tribesmen.

MANY ADVENTURES MISSIONARIES IN ABYSSINIA (Received 22nd June, 9.30 a.m.) ADDIS ABABA, 21st June. Mr Clenhable Cain, a resident of Melbourne, and his wife, who was formerly of Auckland, arrived from Dabra Markos, where rebels seized the Mission Station after fighting the Imperial Guards, and converted it into a miniature fortress. Mr and Mrs Cain had many adventures, but they say someone always turned up who had know them at Debra Markos. Mr and Mrs Cain were accompanied by Miss Jean Cable, of Auckland, all w ere members of Mr Lambie’s Sudan Interior Mission. They were exhausted by an eight days’ distressing journcy. Ras Imru, on returning to Bramarcos, treated them well and supplied them with news. He sent them to the Blue Nile with a mule caravan, but the escort deserted them, after which a friendly wayfarer guided the travellers to Addis Ababa, with the loss of a mule load of stores which were stolen by shiftas.