OMENS OF VICTORY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20260, 8 November 1935, Page 9

OMENS OF VICTORY

ABYSSINIAN SAINTS INVOKED INTERESTING STORY FROM ITALIANS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, November 6. The Addis Ababa correspondent of “The Daily Telegraph” says: The Emperor, Haile Selassie, will take Father Gabreab to Dessie as personal confessor, also two famous Arks of the Covenant, one of St. George reputedly the organiser of victory at Adowa in 1896, and the other of St. Gabriel, who gave Haile Selassie victory against Ras Michal, father of the rebel Li-j Eyassu, in 1916. Abyssinian warriors assert that they saw St. George riding a white horse at Adowa, leading Menelik’s hosts to conquest, thus repeating the Roman legend of Castor Pollux at the battle of Lake Regillus. The Abyssinians declare that St. George and St. Gabriel are more than a match for Signor Mussolini.

RELIGIOUS LIFE OF NATIVES ITALIANS DISCOVER GROUP OF CHURCHES United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph Copyright LONDON, November 6. The Rome correspondent of “The Times” says: General Biroli’s native troops encountered to the Asllo Valley, due north of Makale, a remarkable group of Copt churches of some architectural merit, excavated in hard rock. Resident priests received the troops with full liturgical ceremony, carrying crosses and many coloured umbrellas, but somewhat detracted from the occasion by wearing women’s garments, propitiatorily given them by the troops. The sight of a hundred venerable black-bearded hermits, draped in gaudy petticoats and gay bodices, solemnly chanting psalms, sent the soldiers into shrieks of laughter.