ABYSSINIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23332, 26 October 1937, Page 14

ABYSSINIA

UNDER ITALIAN RULE A TRAVELLER’S IMPRESSIONS The following is an account by Major E. W. Poison Newman in the London Daily Telegraph recently of conditions in Abyssinia under Italian rule as the writer observed them during a three months’ tour in the early summer. He is the first British subject to have visited, all parts of Italian East Africa. “Throughout my tour of Italian East Africa one of the things the surprised me most was the peaceful conditions which I found everywhere. The natives were working in the fields and crowding the markets, while mules, donkeys, and camels were carrying merchandise along the new roads and over the mountain passes. The Abyssinians had quickly resumed their normal occupations. and almost invariably gave us cheerful greetings as wc passed. “Although there were large bodies of road workers, Italian and native, and some of them armed, there were comparatively few troops to bo seen There were scarcely any visible signs of the aftermath of war, and little to indicate a newly-conquered country. “Public security is maintained chiefly by the air force, but a division of regular troops is stationed at Addis Ababa, while militia and Askari units are quartered at centres of strategical importance. “Although there were m visible ngns of discontent in any part of the country, the district of Shoa, near the capital. is still passively hostile and arms have to be taken from the people by force. Also, in parts of Amhara and Tigre the natives have not yet settled down to the new regime, and the surrender of arms is spasmodic. "Everywhere else I was impressed

by the unmistakable narmony between the Italians and the natives, and this was most noticeable among the races previously under Amhara subjection. Even in remote districts of western Abyssinia armed escorts were unnecessary. and when provided they consisted of natives who had fought in the army of ‘he ex-Negus. These native troops, now paid by the Italians, form part of the Askari battalions or of native bands commanded by Italian officers. In the former case the men are enlisted for two years and receive five lire a day, together with flour. They can have their wives and families with them in quarters or camp, and for this huts or tents are provided. “ In centres such as Addis Ababa, Gondar, Quoram, and Bessie, I found many Abysinians working as servants in hotels and private houses, and as shop assistants in general stores. Others have found employment as messengers in Government offices and in various forms of unskilled work. As my visit coincided with the season for ploughing and sowing, there wore fewer native road workers than I had expected to find. “The most remarkable achievement so far is the rapidity with which good roads have been built along the main lines of communication. On these the vital supplier of the country depend. As the capacity of the Djibuti railway is very limited, the main line of supply is from Massawa by road transit to Asmara, Makaile. Quoram. Bessie, and Addis Ababa. Along this road there is a heavy traffic of motor lorries day and night. “ Other roads of immediate importance now under construction are Asmara-Axum-Gondar (for Lake Tana), Addis A,baba-Biredawa (connecting with' Bjibuti), Addis Ababa-the Lakes Negelli-Mogadishu. Addis Ababa-Girnma-Gambell, Addis AbabaLekemti. and Harar-Hargeisa (connecting with British Somaliland). While sections of all these routes arc already used for motor traffic, travel is often slow and very bumpy, and is hard on

motor vehicles. There are, however, vast regions in the west and southwest, all of which are occupied and administered by the Italians, where European supplies have to be transported by air to supplement local produce. “ One of the most remarkable changes is that brought about by aviation In a country where distances are great and where mule-tracks were previously the only means of travel. Two years ago it took 40 days by mule caravan to reach Saio from Addis Ababa. In May I covered the distance by aeroplane in 2 hours and 10 minutes. By this means all outlying districts have been brought within easy reach of an important centre. “ Italian colonisation can only follow on the establishment of communications. Judging from what I have, seen of Amhara and Shoa, Harar, the Gojjan, and Lake Tana region, as well as the immense region of the south and south-west, I am convinced that the agricultural possibilities are very great. “Although there is mineral wealth in Abyssinia, it is from agriculture that Italy will derive the greatest value. “The best regions of all for settlement arc in the State of Galla Sidama, where the soil is of exceptional fertility and the climate almost European, w'ith plenty of rain and many rivers. Here almost anything will grow with rapidity, and two crops a year are quite usual. I have seen vegetable gardens that were fully productive one month after planting, and this in several localities hundreds of miles apart. In the forests round Gimma, near Anfilo, and in the vicinity of the lakes, there is valuable timber; and all this country is well suited for the raising of cattle and sheep. “Although the amenities of modern life are gradually appearing in the capital and other centres, there is a considerable shortage of housing accommodation. “ In most places there is plenty of water either at hand or a few feet

underground, but its distribution is still inadequate to meet the ever-in-creasing demand. Antiquated electrical plant still has to be used in many cases, and electric current is of the spasmodic type. General stores, European shops, kinemas, and restaurants are rapidly increasing in number, and are radically transforming Reappearance of the principal towns. Although there is a shortage of building materials, especially lime, solid buildings are in course of construction throughout the country.