PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.

Wairarapa Age, 3 October 1935, Page 5

PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.

ACTIVITIES IN ADDIS ABABA. ANTICIPATION OF HOSTILITIES ON OCTOBER 9. FEVERISH RUSH IN ITALY. LONDON, October 1. ''The Times” Addis Ababa correspondent says that it can be stated, though it is not officially confirmable, that the Emperor has telegraphed his son-in-law, Ras Desta, a middle-aged chief with much knowledge of modern warfare, asking him to leave Sidamo ) for Addis Ababa and take command of the capital in case of the Emperor’s r absence. His soldiery will not necesf sarily follow him since other disposii tions have already been planned. t Addis Ababa is busily preparing for - war, which is believed to be inevitable, i The market place is packed with buy- , ers of saddles and belts, many satisfy- . ing themselves with rawhide, which is ■ pouring in from the interior. Other ' leading purchases are cartridges and . water-bottles. Thirty thousand provinci ial soldiers, fully: provisioned and adeI quately billeted Surround the city. It ’ only remains for,.the citizens to com- ■ plete.the supplies before mobilisation I is decreed. The opinion grows in officI- ‘ ial circles that the war will begin on' October 9. ' The “Daily Telegraph’s” Rome correspondent declares that Italians are convinced; that a campaign is imminent. Consequently every warlike in- ' dustry is being expedited. Ships are being feverishly reloaded, after their return from the Bed Sea. Women wait in queues in the garrison towns in order to volunteer for nursing service. “The News-Chronicle” states: —“Increasing quantities ef British coal are being rushed to , Egypt and. Italy has contracted with French collieries for 120,000 tons of hard coal because Italy cannot at present obtain further coal from Britain.” Other sources state that sixteen Italian submarines are stationed in the Red Sea in order to intercept muni tions going to Abyssinia from foreign countries. The “Manchester Guardian’s” Alexandria correspondent announces that there is an anti-submarine net across the entrance to Alexandria harbour. SEPARATION ALLOWANCE. INCREASE MADE IN ITALY, LONDON, October 1. The “News-Chronicle’s” Rome correspondent says that owing to discontent among the womenfolk of men called to the colours, the separation allowance is being increased, from Is to Is 3d a day. BRITAIN’S NAVAL QUERY. FRENCH REPLY ON OCTOBER 4, AFTER MEETING OF CABINET. ;

PARIS, October 1. Important discussions occurred between the Prime (M. Laval) and the British Ambassador (the Rt. Hon. Sir George siisell Clerk) regarding the possibility of an attack on Britain, in the ; ( Mediterranean, in the event of the League applying sanctions against Italy, and the British Fleet implementing the sanctions. The French Cabinet will define France’s action when it meets on October 4. Meanwhile Britain believes herself justified in fully arelying upon French support. NEUTRAL OBSERVERS. COMMITTEE TO REPORT TO-DAY. RUGBY, October 1. A Geneva report states that the. Committee of three experts charged with the study of the feasibility of acceding to the request of the Emperor of Ethiopia for observers on the . frontier almost completed their work this morning, but will not submit a report until the Committee of thirteen: meets on Thursday afternoon.—(British Official Wireless.) US.A. & SANCTIONS. , SUPPORT FOB THE LEAGUE ‘ ANTICIPATED. , INTERESTING SUGGESTION * AT GENEVA. i LONDON, October 1. ‘ “The Times” Geneva correspondent says: “The research centre declares that the United States may eo-operate in five but Of six possible League Sanctions Against Italy:,, should such deemed necessary. These may, involve the withdrawal of diplomatic represeii l tatives from Roinb;' non-recognition Of any ' situation ’ created by Italy ’in Ethiopia by violating the Covenant br the Paris Paet; an embargo on the export of munitions and war implements to Italy; acquiescence in the, League blockade of Italy and the closing of the Suez Canal.”

ACCORD A DISUNIOir. “DATLY MAIL”: ON DOMINION ' VIEWS. ■ ‘ (Received Wednesday, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, October 1. The VDeily .Mail,” in a leader, at-, taehes significance to the utterance of the Canadian Premier '(Mr. Bennett), at Brandon on September 28, that Canada would not embroil herself in dis-'; putes in. which she was not directly interested, and draws attention to a speech at Adelaide by Mr. Butler '(Premier of South Australia), doubting the value of the League in promoting peace. The “Mail” adds that it would be well for British public opinion to note these two Dominion voices speak ; ing with such, complete accord. (Other messages relating to the Italo-Abyssinian situation appear bn page 6.)

IF HOSTILITIES BEGIN. POOR MEANS OF. TRANSMITTING NEWS. WARNING TO CORRESPONDENTS AT ADDIS ABABA. (Received Wednesday, 10.0 p.m;) LONDON, October 2. Sir Percival Phillips, the “Dail?

correspondent at Addis Ababa, emphasises that if hostilities blegin in Abyssinia, there will be no means' ■of keeping the outside world promptly and accurately informed. of their progress. The northern armies are taking up positions nearly 500 frotn Addis Ababa, without telegraph liries or efficient wireless to keep them in touch with the capital. It will tale days to receive the scant!, official bulletins and weeks for detailed uccounts of the fighting to trickle through. Courier services and a few aeroplanes will be used to maintain contact between the Emperor and his chiefs, but they will not be available to journalist observers, because none will be allowed anywhere near the combatant troops. The Government has already warned ninety war correspondents and photographers now assembled in Addis Ababa, that the, must not expeet permission to go to the front, t A few may be permitted to' accompany the Emperor if no establishes a field headquarters, bttt ho will probably select sites near the frontier capitals, at a long distance from the front.