TROOPS ON MOVE

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1935, Page 5

TROOPS ON MOVE

ETHIOPIANS MOBILISING BONFIRES IN READINESS SIGNAL FOR HOSTILITIES PILGRIMAGE AT IVTALTA By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Sept. 3. Without speeches or the beat of a drum 5000 well-equipped Abyssinian regulars entrained at Addis Ababa to-day for Diradawa, where they will detrain for Walwal to join the army corps of, 10,000 men. Eight thousand more will follow to-morrow, says the Times correspondent. The troops ploughed through mud to the trains, their rifles slung on their shoulders, goat skins full of parched grain on their heads and water gourds at their sides. Some were carrying blankets, muslin tents, lionskin shields and knives. They climbed into the railway cars after a few words of encouragement from the War Minister, Mulai Geta, and their commander, Dedjasmatch Michael, who, his followers declare, helped to smash the Italians at Adowa and does not fear to face them again, though he does not expect to return. A number of Ethiopian flying officers are leaving Addis Ababa for the Eritrean frontier. Hundreds of bonfires have been laid on the hilltops in readiness for the signal of tne opening of hostilities. A Djibouti message says that all Italian women and children have left Abyssinia. Fifty thousand Italian troops are concentrating on the Eritrean frontier. A Nairobi (Kenya) message says that four Royal Air Force bombers and 200 troops from Egypt will be stationed there. At Malta pilgrimages and prayers for peace are general. The crew of the survey vessel Ormonde has been transferred to minesweepers. The police are collecting details of all motor-cars, in the event of commandeering being necessary. Count de Roquefeuille, French manager of the East African Company, has been arrested at Jigjiga on a charge of espionage upon the Abyssinians.