OVERRUN BY SPIES

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19664, 26 August 1935, Page 7

OVERRUN BY SPIES

ABYSSINIAN ALLEGATIONS, DISAFFECTION FOMKNTID, USE OF GOJJAMITE EX-WARRIORS United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright LONDON, Aug. 24. The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent, Mr Percival Phillips, cabling from Addis Ababa, says Abyssinians declare that a previous mission to Debra Marcos by the Italian Consul, Baron Falcon!, who was accidentally wounded on a hunting expedition, not only entailed the collecting of military information but the registering of Gojjamite ex-soldiers who fought with the Italians against the Seiiussl In Eritrea. Ras Hallu, now Imprisoned for a plot against the Emperor Halil Sellassie, encouraged his followers to enlist in Eritrea in order to possess a modern army when they returned. They became excellent soldiers and now number 20,000. The Italians desire to incorporate these warriors in their native army. It Is alleged that a small group was promised high pay by Baron Falconi and tried to cross the frontier to Eritrea. Thereupon Deja Zayale, Governor of Wolkait, ordered them to he flogged and sent home. The Abyssinians believe the Italians planned the rescue of Hailu in 1932 when Hie airman Franchetti was killed in a crash near Cairo while flying a triple-engined aeroplane armed with rifles.

The authorities, on the plea of guarding such a valuable machine, so closely supervised him that he could not reach Raiiu’s place of imprisonment. The Gojjamltes still resent his deposition.

This disaffection 'is alleged to have been fomented by the Italians. The Abyssinians assert that the country is over-run toy spies in the guise of Consuls, merchants and couriers.