NATIVE WARRIORS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22197, 26 August 1935, Page 11

NATIVE WARRIORS

ITALY'S OBJECTIVE EFFORT TO SECURE AID AX ABYSSINIAN EEPORT CONSUL'S ALLEGED PART By Telecraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received August 25. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Aug. 24 The Daily Telegraph's correspondent, Mr. Percival Phillips, cabling from Addis Ababa, says Abyssinians declare that a previous mission to Debra Marcos by the Italian Consul, Baron Falconi, who was accidentally wounded on a hunting expedition, not only entailed the collecting of military information but the registering of Oojjamite ex-soldiers who fought with the Italians against the Senussi in Eritrea. Ras Hailu. now imprisoned for a plot ngainst the Emperor Haili Sellassie, encouraged ® his followers to enlist in Eritrea in order to possess a modern army when they returned. They became excellent soldiers and now number 20.000. The Italians desire to incorporate these warriors in their native army. It is alleged that a small croup was promised high pay by Baron Falconi and tried to cross the frontier to Eritrea. Thereupon Deja Zayale, Governor of Wolkait, ordered them to he flogged and sent home. The Abyssinians believe the Italians planned the rescue of Hailu in 1932 when the airman Franchetti was killed in a crash near Cairo while flying a triple-engined aeroplane armed with rifles. The authorities, on the plea of guarding such a valuable machine, so closely supervised him that he could not reach Hailu's place of imprisonment. The Goijnmites still resent his deposition. This disaffection is alleged to have been fomented by the Italians. The Abyssinians assert that the country is over-run by spies in the guise of Consuls, merchants and couriers. JAPAN AND ITALY

TRADITIONAL FRIENDSHIP HOPE FOR CONTINUANCE ROME. Aug. 23 General Ito, head of the Japanese military mission to Italy, telegraphed to the Under-Secretary, General Vallo, profoundly admiring the new great Italy and the courage and faith of its people, and hoping for a continuance of the traditional friendship between Japan and Italy. WOMEN'S WAR WORK MAKING OF BANDAGES PRINCESS AS LEADER ADDIS ABABA. Aug. 17 The Ethiopian Women's Work Association is in operation. The president is the Emperor's daughter. Princess Tsahai, aged 15, who speaks fluently English, French and German. Meetings are being held for s the making of bandages and other useful war work. Reporters were admitted to the lofty throne room to hear a speech by the Emperor, who was seated on a cushioned divan with a crimson canopy supported by gilded pillars. The ceremony, which was brief but impressive, was expressly designed to warn the Powers negotiating in Paris of the futility of proposing a solution involving an infringement of Abyssinian territory, sovereignty or inde|>endence. " But," the Emperor said, " Christians should not despair." The Emperor emphasised Ethiopia's hope for peace, and its willingness to collaborate with other Powers in the furtherance of the social and economic development of Ethiopia. An incident occurred at Diredaoua, where an Italian named Mecenate struck and kicked an Abyssinian policeman who was endeavouring to enforce the railway company's regulation relating to baggage. The Italian was allowed to proceed to the coast, but tho matter was brought under the notice of the Italian authorities. The Italian Legation, it appears, wishes to create the impression that matters will be arranged peaceably. The Italian Minister, Signor Vinci, is frequently seen riding informally round the town. Colonel Sandford, an Englishman, formerly of the Sudan Civil Service, and for many years a resident of Abyssinia, has been appointed adviser to the Governor of Majji Province, north of Lake Rudolf, which borders on Kenya and the Sudan. The appointment was made pursuant to the Abyssinian Government's intention to introduce improved methods of provincial administration, particularly in the wild and unruly territory. It is stated that Abyssinia will obtain munitions from America. To-morrow, Sunday, has been proclaimed by all churches in Abyssinia as a day of prayer.