WOMEN UNDER ARMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 204, 31 August 1935, Page 9

WOMEN UNDER ARMS

AN ABYSSINIAN CORPS PREPARING FOR ACTION BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LEADER BMPEROR STRIVING TOR PEACE k* Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] Received Aug. 30, 8.26 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 30. Numbering 3000, Abyssinia’s regiment of women is nearly ready to march out of Addis Ababa. The SunHerald agency obtained an interview with the leader, whose Amharic name means “One who became a new flower,” and whose life closely resembles Mary Magdalene. Young, tall and beautiful, she said that her husband had been killed in tribal battle. “Then God spoke to me and I became His,” she added. Years of prayer followed. Then, hearing of Italy’s threat to invade the country, she walked 300 miles, through terrible country, to Addis Ababa to organise a women’s corps. The women wear a khaki uniform with Sam Brown belts and carry Mauser revolvers. They need only a tew more arms and ammunition and then they will be ready for the front. Preparing for Air Raids The Telegraph’s Addis Ababa correspondent says that bomb-proof shelters are hurriedly being constructed at Addis Ababa in anticipation of a threatened Italian air offensive. Antiair raid drill arranged for August 30 has been postponed till September 2, because of the Emperor’s gigantic religious service, which is being held on an open plain near the city. The Emperor’s peaceful -.ttitude and reliance on the League to save the Empire from attack is not supported by some of his Extremist military leaders, who favour an aggressive policy more in conformance with Abyssinia’s ancient warlike traditions. They even urge the Emperor to take the offensive, for which they have been sharply reprimanded by the Emperor, who has declared that nothing must be said or done to give Italy an excuse for invasion. Japan to Use Free Hand The Telegraph’s Tokyo conesponaent, says that although ; t is authoritatively stated that the Japanese Government has no intention of becoming involved in the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia, the Foreign Spokesman said yesterday: “Japan retains a free hand to act afe future circumstances dictate.” At present the Government is maintaining the strictest- neutrality.