MAY STRIKE FIRST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 11

MAY STRIKE FIRST

ABYSSINIAN LEADERS BEFORE ITALY IS READY PROBABLY SEPTEMBER 12 By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON. Aug. 11 From the capital of 'Abyssinia cornea an ominous message, which declares: "The sands are running out. and the temptation of the country's leaders to strike before Italy is ready is very great! "In six weeks the rains will have ceased. The ground then will permit of military operations." •Italian official sources estimate that 88,000 Abyssinian soldiers already are in position on the Eritrea front and .'{o,ooo on the Somaliland front in readiness to attack the Italian colonies opposite them. The Italian statement of Abyssinian troop concentrations actually names the (late of the proposed attack —September 12. Two other significant items received are: left for Japan allegedly empowered to arrange a military alliance; and (2) a German officer's warning that a successful Italian campaign will require half a million men, last four years and absorb money like water. It is asserted that the Abvssinians hare trenches, redoubts, pontoon bridges, dumps and arsenals ready or being hastily completed. They have established bases at Gondar, Adowa and Malale all ready for action against Kritrea. They have a base near Sidamo for use against Somaliland and hold, between these two general positions, the high central comtry around FTarar and Jijiga, which is a sector of supreme value not only because it strategically controls the Ogaden country, but also from it forces can be sent to either front. In addition it will give the Abvssinians the inside position while the Ttalian armies will be separated by the whole extent of Franco-British territory. It can serve also as a pivot of manoeuvres for the Abvssinians if they launch an offensive either to the north or south. II Giornale d'Ttalia asserts that Harar and Jijiga are centres for supplies flowing through British Somaliland from the ports of Zeila and Berbcra. The paper also publishes a secret mobilisation order alleged to have been issued to the Abyssinian chiefs on July 26, instructing them to have their men armed and ready by September 12 to depart for specified points within three days.

WAR EXPECTED i DEFENDERS' CONFIDENCE ARMY'S MODERN EQUIPMENT Considerable light is thrown on the position of Abyssinia, in the event of war with Italy, in an article in the News Chronicle by Mr. Vivian Meik, author, soldier, and traveller. Abyssinia to-day is a vast armed camp, says the writer. Superficially it does not appear so very different from what it vras, say, 20 years ago. However, a closer inspection reveals the fact that, for instance, the rifles in the hands of the tribesmen are of the most modern and efficient type. Abyssinia believes that war is hovering over the country. The date of the outbreak is regarded as a surety. The end of the rainy season, they say, the latter part of September—perhaps the first week in October —not later. Two days ago, while on his way home through London, I met an old Ethiopian friend of mine—a nobleman in his own country. He had been on a visit to the continent —the Skoda arms factory, to put it bluntly. Italy's Intention to Make War We discussed the state, of affairs. He laughed cynically. " All this arbitration talk," he said, " means exactly nothing. If it was meant to succeed Italy would have shown a different spirit—but Itaiy intends to declare war. You know that, and whatever they may say, every chancellery in Europe knows it. " The internal position in that country is such that only a war can take the minds of the people off their government. " Italy would have made the Walwal incident her excuse had she been ready at the time. But she was not, and after that something greater than Italy took a hand —the rainy season. But the rains will be over in September—and if you do not know what Italy has been doing in the meantime all I can jay is that you should. Ethiopian Empire's Determination "In my attache case are cuttings •eporting the inspired attitude of the [talian press. Some of it has been given vide publicity in your own country—rou know what is being said and the ies they are telling there about Engand. Bead them in conjunction with he despatch of division after division if Italian troops. They say it is only 0 defend Italian Somaliland." My friend laughed again. " Defend x, against what? Mosquitoes? What ither danger is there in Eritrea? No, ny friend—we know what is coming ,nd when." Is that why you have been to /zecho-Slovakia? I asked. " There, and to other places. My ountry has been an empire since the ays of Solomon —before Bome was uilt —and it will not be our fault if b is not &till intact after Rome —or any ther capital—has crumbled away. " Our countryside is not that of lurope, our climate not that of the lediterrariean, our food products not hose of the Latins, our new methods f fighting and our endurance and the >ve of our country are inferior to one. Thin will be a guerilla war—a ame at which we excel and into which r o can brine almost a million trained len." Italian Air Force Discounted But the Italian air squadrons? I entured. " Discounted," was the surprising ?ply. " What have they to bomb? ddis Ababa? Apart from the fact of ur own machines and anti-aircraft de■nces there, admitted they wipe the >wn out. They blow up a few empty ouses, that is all. Abyssinia is a vast jtintryside, not a conglomeration of ties. "We can—all our millions —save irselves in our forests. Aeroplanes can ike a place, but they cannot hold it. 1 Abyssinia only the land forces >unt."