WARM WELCOME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22437, 5 June 1936, Page 11

WARM WELCOME

HAILI SELASSIE

PARTY REACHES ENGLAND CHEERED BY CITIZENS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received June 4, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 3 Closely guarded barriers were erected on the wharf at Southampton when the liner Orford, with the fugitive Ethiopian Emperor, Haili Selassie on board, docked to-day and the object was to prevent unauthorised persons from boarding the vessel. The Orient Line had cancelled all passes normally issued to board the ship and at the Abyssinian Legation's request the only persons allowed on board were the Minister in London, Dr. A. Martin, and an unnamed white friend. Although n large crowd had assembled at the quayside, the absence of official ceremonies contrasted with the Emperor's last visit, to England, in 1924, when he was received as Prince Regent with great pomp and pageantry. The Emperor and his family remained on board until all the passengers had' disembarked, after which they proceeded to a special carriage attached to the boat train, staffed by coloured attendants, all faithful servants of the Emperor. The crowd cheered and waved handkerchiefs as the Emperor walked to the train. He wore a long black cape over a white silken garment. The Crown Prince and the Duke of Harrar looked mere schoolboys. The former was dressed like his father and the latter in an ordinary European suit. Princess j Tsaliai, wearing a smart grey costume, smilingly accepted a bouquet of flowers from a woman sightseer. Ras Kassa accompanied the Royal party. Welcomed by London Crowds

Waterloo Station was crowded with people before the train left Southampton. Many carried banners inscribed, "Welcome to the Ernperor!" Haili Selassie, upon his arrival at Waterloo, was welcomed by Mr. Anthony Eden's private secretary, in accordance with the procedure adopted when Royalty visits the country incognito.

The crowd at the station and approaches numbered thousands, and included many coloured people and children who cheered and waved Ethiopian flags. Haili Selassie looked sad and tired, but he smiled when he saw his subjects on the platform. He remained there 20 minutes, receiving homage and addresses of welcome. Cheers from a crowd 10 to 20 deep greeted the Emperor''as he drove from the station. He entered the Abyssinian Legation, after which the Ethiopian flag was hoisted. The crowd shouted, "We want the Emperor," in response to which Haili Selassie, accompanied by his son and daughter and Dr. Martin, stepped on to the balcony and waved. Faith in Europe's Judgment The Princess advanced and said: "Your kindly reception has given us courage." Dr. Martin said the Emperor had commanded him to express his thanks. Dr. Martin has invited the diplomatic corps, Italy excepted, to meet the Emperor on Saturday. Abyssinian Association, Haili Selassie, replying in Amharic, expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of Britain. "We feel you share our sorrow," he said. "We left Ethiopia because we wished to avoid more cruel bloodshed. We have done all we could, bui the aggressor poured gases on our children and our women and all our people, so we have come to ask judgment from Europe. "We have that our appeal will meet with response, since all the members of the League have the right to expect' a discharge of the obligations imposed upon the rest." Londoners warmly greeted the Emperor as he drove to his residence, Princes' Gate, Hyde Park, adjoining the Abyssinian Legation. He was preceded by a police car, and followed by four cars containing his suite.

The Daily Mail states that Haili Selassie brought 41 boxes, believed to contain gold.

ITALY'S WAR HERO

ROME'S ROYAL RECEPTION MARSHAL BADOGLIO'S RETURN ROME. June !? While Haili Selassie was approaching Southampton, Marshal Badoglio was royally welcomed in Rome. Signor Mussolini, wearing the uniform of an honorary corporal of the Fascist militia, embraced the conqueror of Abyssinia, who wore his marshal's colonial uniform. II Duce then handed to Signora Badoglio a bouquet of roses. The marshal and his wife subsequently drove through Cheering crowds.