ABYSSINIAN EMPEROR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22832, 17 March 1936, Page 9

ABYSSINIAN EMPEROR

ATTITUDE TO THE LEAGUE A NOTICEABLE CHANGE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, March 15. The Addis Ababa correspondent of The Times, in a copyright message, says royal circles here fear that the Powers and the League Council meeting on March 10, in the absence of the Abyssinian delegate, may speedily end the ItaloAhyssinian dispute, imposing an armistice on so-called common sense peace terms upon the belligerents in view of the Locarno situation. Any such tactics will be strenuously resisted by the Abyssinian representatives in Europe. There is a change in Emperor Sollassic’s attitude towards the League and European Powers. He still devotedly supports collective security, but his outlook is altering in view of what lie considers the League’s disgraceful procrastination in applying sanctions capable of stopping the war, namely financially assisting Abyssinia and placing an embargo on all war materials necessary to Italy. Emperor Sellassie is becoming an Ethiopian of the old warlike type, eager to get into the fighting in order to destroy the Italians or die like Negus. His communications with the . delegations are becoming more impatient. His dealings with the West will end if France and, Italy attempt to raise the Abyssinian issue in London when bargaining for support against Germany, and the other Powers accept such views. EXAGGERATED CLAIM LONDON, March 15. (Received March 16, at 5.5 p.m.) It is now clear that Italy’s claims to defeating Ras Kassa, Ras Seyoum and Ras Imru were grossly exaggerated. Kassa’s and Seyoum’s forces are intact in Western Tembien, and Imru’a are not only intact and sound, but have avoided contact with the enemy. Dedjazmatch Ayelou, the ablest northern commander, has recrossed the Takkazc River in order to watch the progress of the Italian invasion in North-western Abyssinia. Emperor Sellassie admits the Italian advance, but denies it was accompanied by defeat of the Abyssinian troops. A possible exception to this was Mulugheta, who, in misunderstanding the instructions, held out too long and withdrew too far. General headquarters did not accord him the customary obituary honours. He cut his way through Antalo and Scelicotin. The retreat was accompanied by great slaughter. A European eye-witness counted 1500 dead at Alpini.