Imperial Valley press., 1915-12-27
Is Little Abyssnia To Decide World War?
Europe's Fighting Center Shifts To Suez Cana

Lonson, Dec. 27-Abyssinia may
win the European war for the Al
lies.
Belgium saved the entente powers
in the wast-and Abyssinia may do
more. She Is now being relied upon
to save the Suez canal and stem the
tide Of the Turco-Teuton drive ON
Egypt.
The greatest of conflicts will soon
shift its theatre of human bloodshed
from Europe to Asia, is what this
means.
The Caucasian, the black, the vel
low man, will all mix their blood in
what may soon prove the titanic and
probably decisive struggle for SUI
premacy in the great war.
There exists no further doubt that
Germany wants Egypt-that already
her forces are marching on to it. Her
designs have .swelled to such an ey-
tent that every preparation is being
hurriedly but systematically made by
the Allies to defend the Suez canal
at any cost.
Already 100000 British soldiers have
evacuated their positions in the Dar-
danelle1. But where these forces will
be moved can be no secret, despite the
efforts of the British war office to
keep it such.
There can be no doubt that General
Munro is moving them to the defense
Of the Suez canal, since at this late
hour they can be of slight avail at
Salonika.
Southwark are moving the Turco-
German thousands for the great drive.
They are now under General Won Der
Goltz n Syria. From the east may
move thousands of Persians, for Per-
sia has pledged her aid to the Kaiser
and the Sultan. But just now come
reports of Russian drive into Per
sia, which may change this.
Meeting, they will seek to cross the
Sinai peninsula to reach the Suez ca
nal. If they succeed they viii follow
in the footsteps Of the Children rf
Israel.
Just as Persia's aid must be had by
the Teutons, Abyssina's is equally as
imperative to the success of the Al
lies.
The fate of Egypt, the supremacy
of the Entente or Central powers,
hangs in the balance. Persia or Abys-
sinia must tip the scales that will
make the most exciting chapter in the
wars history.
The Suez canal will be the new
cockpit of Europe's fighting kings.
From the Orient has sailed, if re-
liable report may be credited, a pow
erful Japanese fleet, which will CO.
operate with Abyssinia by transport
ing its troops to Egypt and Mesopo-
tamia. Thousands of Jap marines may
also be transported to the next theatre
Of war, and the sinking of a Japanese
liner has so aroused that nation that
it is possible a great Japanese army
will enter the field for the Allies. Al
ready part of the Nipponese fleet has
arrived at the canal. 1t is possible,
too, for the French railroad connect
ing the French port of Jubitl with
Adds Abeba in Abyssinia to trans
port troops to the coast from where
within four days they could reach
Suez, or in five days Bassora i'm Meso-
potamia.
The Abyssinan troops are well
armed. And Germany has largely
furnished them with their arms. Since
1911 Abyssinia has purchased from
100000 to 100000 modern rifles,
most of which were manufactured in
Germany.
Persia, too, is well stocked in muni-
tions, and Germany is rapidly increas-
ing the supply.
What will be the strength of the
Persian and Abyssinian armies can
only be conjectured. Nevertheless,
Britain counts on Abyssinia's pledge
to put 100000 armed men in the field
at the start. Persia cannot be expect
ed to arm more than $4,000.
Only the friendship of boy has
won the support Of Abyssinia for the
Allies. He is Lidi Jeassu, the young
emperor, who resisted every effort of
German agents to induce him to alb
rogate treaties with Great Britain,
Italy and France, which nations guar
anteed the independence of the boy
emperor's domains.
Persia or Abyssinia will decide
whether the Suez canal and Egypt
will be taken by Germany or held by
Great Britain, and, as stated, Russia
may be giving Persia enough to do
without being able to aid the Turks
and Teutons.
Rams Fancy Bread