RELIEF SOUGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 106, 6 May 1936, Page 7

RELIEF SOUGHT

AMERCAN LEGATION INADEQUATE DEFENCE BRITISH TO ASSIST IN EVACUATION [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] Received May 5, 11.55 p.m. WASHINGTON. May 4. Although onlyy separated by a few city squares, the American Legation at Addis Ababa was to-day compelled to send an appeal for aid to the British Legat.on, via wireless to Washington, telephone to the Foreign Office, London, and thence to Sir Sidney Barton, British Ambassador at Addis Ababa. A temporary lapse in radio coininunieation between London and the British Legation in the Ethiopian capital, however, had delayed the Ameriean Minister, Mr En-gert’s, appeal for a Lewis gun and a few Sikhs to Help repel the bandits who had beleaguered the Legation and seriously wounded two servants. Bullets narrowly missed Mrs . Engert. Efforts to send messages to the British Legation by runner failed. , Meantime, the American uuilding was under intermittent fire. President Roosevelt is greatly concerned about the situation. The State Department is somewhat relieved by British Foreign Office assurances that aid from Sir Sidney Barton would be available as sopn as radio communication was re-established. While some relief was felt with the receipt of news from London that the Foreign Office had been advised by Sir Sydney Barton late to-day that a truck load of Sikh troops had been sent to the relief of the American Legation, a message received to-night from Mr Engert stated: “The British Legation is apparently unable to get Into touch with us, but we feel confident that we can at least hoid out until to-morrow.” Questions at Washington The question asked Mr Hull by Washington correspondents why precautions had not been taken for the defence of the American Legation, remained unanswered, but at the State Department it was indicated that Mr Engert had been instructed to aba udon the legation at his discretion and take refuge in the British compound. Officials declined to indicate in any way the American attitude towards the Italian conquest of Ethiopia, intimating that the United States would take no action until the situation was further clarified. The State Department late to-night announced that “owing to the critical situation at Addis Ababa, (he British Minister had been unable to spare a detachment of Sikhs to assist in the defence of the American Legation. However, the British Foreign Office had offered to telegraph Sir Sydney Barton to send a convoy to avacuate the legation in view of the attack on the Turkish, French, and Belgian Legations and owing to the fact that the American Legation had not prepared adequate defence. The British offer had been accepted and Mr Eager*, had been urged to take advantage of the opportunity afforded to evacuate Ahe occupants of the American Legation.” MANY RESCUES BRITISH LEGATION BUSY REFUGEES DESTITUTE DR. MELLY’S CONDITION [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, May 4. Messages from Addis Ababa received in London through the Foreign Office, owing to the closing of the Ethiopian Government wireless station, give additional details of the disorders. A rescue party from the British Legation, which went to the Turkish Legation’s relief, found five dead before the Legation, whose staff were evacuated and brought to the British Legation compound. Two thousand refugees, belonging to 23 nationalities, are reported to be sheltering in the British Legation. Many have arrived entirely destitute. Their misery is increased by the heavy rains. Dr. Melly, who is in charge of the British ambulance, yesterday reached the British Legation. lie stood the journey to the Legation well, and, although his wound is reported to be responding to treatment, his condition will continue critical for some days. The British ambulance collected and tended over 300 Ethiopian wounded. It is underrtood that the Abyssinian situation was under consideration at a special meeting of Cabinet this morning. The meeting was ca’ltd to give further examination of the terms of the document to be placed before the German Government, seeking elucidation on certain points contained in the German peace plan memorandum. An important debate on foreign affairs is expected in the House of Commons on Wednesday. The subjects which will probably be ri’.sed will include the. position in regard to the sanctions in operation against Italy, the future of the League of Nations, and the questionnaire which is b?’mg sent to Germany this week. The newspapers also anticipate that the Austrian situation will be raised. Mr Eden’s Statement A statement on the situation in Abyssinia was made by the Foreign Secretary (Mr Eden) in reply to a private notice question in the House of Commons. Mr Eden said: ”Tne Emperor Informed Sir Sidney Barton that he had renounced direction of affairs, which he had confided to his Council of Ministers. In communicating this message the Emperor made it clear that his wish wa-s to proceed with his family to Palestine. His Majesty’s Government felt It was incumbent upon them to grant this request and, so far as lay in their power, to facilitate the passage of the party to Jerusalem. had therefore communicated with the French Government, who expressed readiness to give effect to whatever wishes the Emperor might express as to his further destination. His Majesty’s Government had ordered the cruiser Enterprise to proceed to Djibouti to convey (he Emperor and his partv direct to Haifa. The Emperor will naturally be expected while in Palestine not to participate in any way in the furtherance of hostilities.”