ITALIANS IN ABYSSINIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24783, 6 December 1941, Page 10

ITALIANS IN ABYSSINIA

STEPS FOR REPATRIATION RUGBY, Dec. 4. The following announcement has been issued from the office of the deputy chief political officer m Addis Ababa: "As soon as existing British military interests in Ethiopia have been liquidated, the British forces will be withdrawn. Hitherto the British have organised where necessary at their own expense the feeding, housing, and employment of Italian non-combatants, and as far as possible looked after their interests. The Italians, therefore, must be moved before the British forces leave Ethiopia. Moved by humanitarian consideration, the British Government has approached the Italian Government with proposals for their repatriation to Italy. These proposals are likely to be brought to a successful conclusion. Men unfit for military service and women and children would be taken to Italy in Italian liners. Pending the arrival of these ships, thev would be collected at a number of points where special camps are being prepared with every regard to health and welfare. Eight thousand persons due to sail for Italy will be moved to these camps before embarkation. The first move will be made on December 22. Men of combatant age will be evacuated to accommodation prepared for them in British East Africa. The first batch of these men will leave Addis Ababa on December 5 for a special camp in British Somaliland, probably to embark during the coming month. Every effort is being made to ensure that the removal of Italians from Ethiopia is carried out with due regard to the health and comfort of men, women, and children.