EAST AFRICA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22505, 25 February 1935, Page 9

EAST AFRICA

SITUATION DISQUIETING BRITISH REPRESENTATIONS (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.* LONDON, February 22. Further i urgent British representations in connection with the ItaloAbyssinian dispute have been made to Rome and Addis Ababa. To-night Sir Eric Drummond called on Signor Suvich. The situation is regarded as being disquieting. The British appeal to the Italians for moderation has been pointedly ignored. Italy is behaving less like a nation than the Abyssinians. Mussolini's major difficulty seems to be the Young Fascists, the extreme element. This party is clamouring for colonial expansion and is hungering for strife with the Abyssinians. * MORE ITALIAN TROOPS ROME, February 23. (Received Feb. 24, at 5.5 p.m.) The Vulcania took 2000 troops from Naples and the Mazariossuro 1300 from Genoa to East Africa. The Vulcania, will take 2000 from Cantebiancbmoro and 3000 from Messina. NO INTERFERENCE BY JAPAN ROME, February 22. The Japanese Ambassador stated that there was no question of Japan helping Abyssinia in the event of hostilities. WARNING TO CORRESPONDENTS ROME, February 24. (Received Feb. 25, at 1.30 a.m.) It has been announced officially that all future information about the ItaloAbyssinian situation will be handled by the War Ministry, and foreign correspondents have been advised to call daily. Any elaboration will be at the correspondents' own risk. The advance guard of the Peloritana Division, consisting of 5000 men, with specialised workers, sailed for East Africa aboard the Vulcania. The troops have been given photographs of Signor Mussolini in a Basilari uniform, inscribed: "Better live a day as a lion than a century as a sheep." ABYSSINIA'S COMPLAINT z BERLIN, February 24. (Received Feb. 25, at 1.30 a.m.) Abyssinia has complained to Germany, denouncing Italy's military measures as exercising military pressure during the negotiations, contrasting with Abyssinia's readiness for a friendly settlement as is proved by the establishment of a neutral zone on the Somaliland border.