HAILE SELASSIE.

Wairarapa Age, 27 May 1936, Page 5

HAILE SELASSIE.

VISIT TO BRITAIN RESENTED IN ROME. “LION OF LONDON SEASON.” TALK OF PERSONAL AFFRONT TO KING OF ITALY. LONDON, May 25. Th© Australian Associated Press agency understands that Haile Selassie is visiting England incognito at his own wish. This precludes official receptions and meetings. “The Times” Rome correspondent says that Haile Selassie’s going to London has caused suspicion and annoyance. It is considered that British sanctionists propose to use the Emperor as a cat’s-paw and .to appeal through him to the sympathies of the public in order to ensure continuance of sanctions. It is pointed out that no assurance has been exacted from the Emperor to abstain from political activity; he has merely undertaken to abstain while on British soil from furtherance in hostilities, and consequently it is anticipated that he will be besieged by interviewers and invitations to social engagements. In short, the “Lion of Judah” is to be the Lion of the London season.

It is suggested in some quarters that Haile Selassie’s visit will put the British Royal Family in an embarrassing position as regards the Italian Royal Family. One paper declared that if Haile Selassie is received as an emperor Italy might interpret the matter as a personal affront to King Victor Emmanuel.

OthDr episodes, such as the arrest of Warrant-Officer Bunner and the disappearance of the confidential packet conveyed to Jibuti, are cited as wilful British attempts to increase tension. BUNNER INCIDENT. NOW REGARDED AS CLOSED.

. LONDON, May 25. Foreign Office reports from Jibuti state that Warrant Officer Bunner, who was released after being arrested by tne Italians, is progressing, and that the dog-bite injury is mending. The many difficulties in which he was placed appear to be due to misunderstandings caused by differences of lanclosed an<l the incident is regarded as BRITISH LEGATION. NO WITHDRAWAL MEANTIME FROM ADDIS ABABA. —, t, . RUGBY, May 25. The Foreign Secretary stated at quee-+VmeTln,-tlle House of Commons that the Italian Government had invited the British Government to consider whether, in the light of the occupation of Addis Ababa, it would not now be desirable to withdraw the reinforcements dispatched last year to strengthen the British Legation guard. A ?„ tbe “Ration in Addis Ababa was still far from stable, the Italian Government had been informed .that the matter was still under consideration In another reply, Mr. Eden said there was no immediate intention of withdrawing his Majesty’s Legation at Addis Ababa, but the Minister, Sir Sidney Barton, in all probability, would shortly be returning to England on •eave which had long been due to him. —(British Official Wireless.)

executions of natives.

FIFTY-THREE TO MAY 21.

nm • i . ROME, May 25. st °® tw T* J rom Addis Ababa states that only 53 natives were executed between May 5, the date of the Italian entry, and May 21. (The Jibuti correspondent of "The Times said in a message on May 17 that th? °ti r I Addis Ababa stated since tb ? Xtabails bad made 1500 arrests since the occupation of the city. The majority of those arrested were alleged to have looted the city. Trials bv a aV a e r viden n ce Un s kete W h e y re eTn shot - FURTHER ARRESTS. British red cross officers detained. (Received Tuesday, 7.45 p.m.) t( LONDON, May 26. The Times” Jibuti correspondent says Colonel Llewellyn and Major Bentinek, members of the British Red Cross unit, were detained by the Italians at Diredawa when they were on their way to Jibuti. The reason is not known.