EMPEROR HAILI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 227, 27 September 1935, Page 7

EMPEROR HAILI

OUTBURST AGAINST ITALY. HOPE OF PEACE ABANDONED LONDON, Sept. 15. An Australian correspondent writing from Addis Ababa says: —1 stood in the tiny control room at the Addis Ababa radio Btatiou and saw the world’s most pathetic figure crumple up like a shot bandit —Haili Selassie, Emperor of all Abyssinia. lor six months his keen brain has been seeking his country’s deliverance through every diplomatic channel known. But last night, goaded to desperation and doubtless unnerved by the terrific strain he has been undergoing, he broke his icoerve before the microphone. in a falt-ering voice, rising scarcely above a whisper, he told the world in colourful Amoaric (afterwards translated into French and English) of the wrongs his country was suffering, not only at Italy’s hands, but also from Lhe Powers who nave refused him the means of defence. His faltering voice

strengthened as ho launched his first attack on Italy throughout the whole dispute, “The attitude of Italy will be judged by history, which will say whether It is the just act of a nation priding itself on its civilised state to make an unjust war on a natron which it has previously connived with other Powers io disarm aud render helpless,” said the Emperor.

“I can only say, God help us! To Him we pray daily, for, at this eleventh houi, only He can save my people, for whom 1 will gladly give niy life.” The little Emperor’s head sank on his shoulders for a second and then was flung up again defiantly as he said: “We have no arms, thanks to the world outside, but the muscled

arms of our peasants know how to use tho sword and the spear as well us the plough.” There was a deep silence. I think it was the most dramatic moment of my life, for I had seen and heard un Emperor throw down the guantlet, and that can mean only one thing now—war. The Haili bclassie I have known for two months would never say what he said last night unless every hope of a peaceful scttlealtnt had gone. The volcano is about to erupt.