ABYSSINIAN REGULARS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 208, 5 September 1935, Page 7

ABYSSINIAN REGULARS

. ENTRAINING FOR FRONT BONFIRES TO SIGNAL HOSTILITIES CONCENTRATION OF 1 ITALIANS (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 3. The Times Addis Ababa correspondent says .that without speeches or beat of drum 5000 well-equipped regulars entrained for Di rad a wa, where they will detrain for Waiwal to join the army corps of 10,000 men. Five thousand more will follow to-morrow. The troops ploughed through mud to the trains, their rifles slung on their shoulders, with goat skins full o.f parched grain on th ok” heads, and water gourds at their sides. Some were carrying blankets, muslin tents, lion skin shields, and knives. They climbed into the railway cars after a few words of encouragement from the Wftr Minister, Mulai Geta. Their commander is 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 hilltops in readiness as a signal for tne opening of hostilities. Fifty thousand Italians are concentrating on the Eritrean frontier.

FRENCHMAN ARRESTED BY ABYSSINIA'NS CHARGE OF ESPIONAGE ADDIS BABA, Sept. 3. Count de Roquefullle, French manager of an East African, company, has been arrested at JYjiga on a charge of espionage upon the Ahyssinians. “TO US, ABYSSINIA!” ITALIANS DEMONSTRATE Received Sept. 4, 10.15 p.m. ROME, Sept. 4. Thirty thousand people demonstrated in front, of the Palazzo Venezia, shouting, “To us, Abyssinia! Down with the League.” Mussolini, stepping out from the balcony, said gravely; “You must at, this moment be specially proud to be Italians.” Then with the Fascist salute he withdrew. LEFT ABYSSINIA ITALIAN WOMEN AND CHILDREN DJIBOUTI, Sept. 3. All Italian women and children have left Abyssinia. IN THE EVENT OF WAR WELLINGTON, Sept. 4. An outline of the Government’s action in the event of war was sought by Captain H. M. Rushworth *(Country Party, Bay of Islands) in a notice of question to the Prime Minister fthe Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) in the House of Representatives last night. Capta.n Rushworth wanted to know whether, in the event of Great Britain becoming involved in war. would the Prune Minister assemble Parliament, if it were not already in session, before taking any irrevocable step. “HANDS OFF ABYSSINIA” WELLINGTON, Sept. 4. “If the same situation had arisen in Abyssinia in 1913 as has arisen in 1935 Britain would have said to Italy, ‘Keep your hands off Abyssinia,’ and Italy would have kept her hands off, with Britain backing her demands with a two-JTwer Navy,” said the chairman, Mr A. Walker, at the meeting of the executive of the Wellington branch of the Navy League yesterday. “It is heartening,” said Mr Walker, “to see that the few smaller naval Powers— Sweden. Denmark, and Norway—that are still adhering to the League of Nation? are hacking up Britain in fho attitude that she is taking for the preservation of peace.” MALTA PRECAUTIONS MANNING OF MINE-SWEEPERS MALTA, Sept. 3. Pilgrimages and prayers for peace are general. The crew of the survey vessel Ormonde has been transferred to minesweepers. The police are collecting details ot all motor-ears in the event of it being necessary to commandeer them FORCE AT NAIROBI NAIROBI. Sept. 3. Tour Air Foi\?e bombers and two ! hundred troops from Egypt will be stationed here. PUBLIC DISCUSSION AIRING THE DISPUTE PROPOSALS STILL OPEN GENEVA, Sept. 3. Mr Eden, M. Laval, and M. Avenol have decided that Italy’s dispute with Abyssinia should be publicly discussed, and that the Franco-British proposals which have already been rejected by Signor Mussolini still remain open.