MANY DESERTERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22240, 15 October 1935, Page 9

MANY DESERTERS

ITALY'S NEW ALLIES EMPEROR'S SON-IN-LAW WARRIORS JOIN INVADERS OTHERS FEAR REVENGE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON. Oct. 13 The British United Press correspondent .at Adowa says that Degiae Haili Selassie Gugsa, the Emperor's 27-year-old son-in-law, who,» with 12,000 followers, threw in his lot with the Italians, is tasting the joys of his new allegiance and is shopping extensively in Adowa's best shop. Ho rides in an Italian car, wearing a huge revolver and a Sam Browne belt, and red-striped trousers.

From Adigrat it is stated that an additional column of 1000 Abyssinian warriors arrived on the Italian front lino with new Belgian rifles and joined the invaders. The chief stated that the Governor of West Tigre, with 20,000 men and 20 machine-guns, was also anxious to desert, but feared Ras Seyouin's revenge. A despatch from Harrar states that a Somali chief, Samatarri, joined the Abyssinians with 2000 followers. Other pro-Italian chiefs were not so lucky as Gugsa, a report from Ababa announcing that seven Somali leaders, possessing large sums in Italian currency, were shot as spies. An Abyssinian Army, under the Crown Prince, is concentrating in the area from Sokota to Amba Ahaji, 120 miles southward of the Italian front. A Minister to succeed Dr. Hawariat, who is going to Africa to take command of an army, has left for Paris.