The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-18
Force Consists Of Two Hun
bred Thousand Men Which
May Stem Egyptian Invasion
REPORT TURCO-TEUTON
ARMY OFF FOR INDIA
Petrograd Hears Expedi,ionary
Force Is Now En- Route
Marching by Way of Bag
dad and Persia

London, Dee. 17.-Emperor Lidj
Jeassu, of Abyssinia, has offered
to the allies two hundred thoua-
and Abyssinian soldiers for any
field where they may be needed.
Equipped and ready for action,
this army can reach the suex Canal
within four days. while 1t Will
take five to transport IL to Mes
opotamfa.
Announcement of the Abyssinian
rulers offer was made today in
the French chamber of deputies
by Pierre Alype, a member of the
colonial committee Of the chamber.
1t IN the first indirect sign that the
entente powers have ohiciaIly taxi
en- c9gnisnnee OF the reported Tur-
co-German threat TO strike for the
Suex Canal, invade Egypt, and car.
ry the war to the Orient. Further
more. IL comes upon the heels Of
proposal made in the F'rench
chamber yesterday that the allies
enlist the Abyssinian empires mill
itary aid under guarantee Of its
independence.
To close observers of the near east
ern developments of the war. the Abys-
sinian offer comes as proof that the
allies have not been negligent of the
menace 10 Great Britains Mahommetan
domintons presented by the Turco-Ger-
man cooperation. and the opening OF
the road to Constantinopie. German
agents have been for months busy in
Ahtsstttia endeavortns to stir up re-
beilion. The enlistment of that coun-
try is taken as counter stroke
against these efforts.
Hns Modern Equipment.
The Abyssinian army is equipped
with close to half million modern
rifles A small standing army is main
tained in each province of Abyssinia
proper in times of peace. In case
of need, every ablebodied Abyssinian
according TO the traditions of the lit
tie empire, is expected to Join the
army. and force. well armed with
modern weapons, approaching 25o000
can be placed in the field The cavalry
is chiefly composed of Gala horsemen
The Abyssinians are famed for their
bravery and feared for the Mahomme-
tan fanaticism with which they go
into battle.
Speculation concerning the role
Japan may play in the war in the Far
East. if it is carried there. is again
revived by the Abyssinian offer The
suggestion was made in Paris and
her today that the japanese fleet
may bring the Abyssinian army to the
front. where they are needed.
Whether that front Is in Mesopo-
1 a min mr. thu tor side nf a
SueZ Canal is the chief question of
interest. The British in Mesopotamia
have been hard pressed by the Turks
since the latter drove them from the
Basdad approaches to Kut-el-Amara.
Reinforcements are badly needed
there.
German Leader Goes to Bagdad.
In this connection sipnis"ance 10
attached to the report from Cons
stantinople that Field Marshal Won
der Goltz. the German commander in
Turkey. has gone to Bagdad. He had
been supposed to be heading the
Turko- German army reported to be
in readiness to strike for Suex soon
after the completion OF the doubles
track railroad from Damascus to the
Egyptian frontier. predicted for Feb
ruary /.
Germany's plans. according to re-
cent authoritative advices from Rome
and other European capitals. had been
to induce the Abyssinians to march
against the British in the Soudan, and
thus keep large British forces busy
there and prevent them from hurry.
ing to .Egypts aid. This plan frus-
trated. German drive against Egypt.
especially II accompanied by push
ing of the Mesopota .m!an campaign
against the British reinforced by the
Abyssinians. will be gigantic task.
For these reasons the pessimistic
view that prevailed here of late with
regard to the Teutonic plans against
Egypt was largely dispelied by the
news of the Abyssinian offer
Not an Empty Threat.
Nevertheless, reports continue 10
pour in indicating that the drive for
Egypt is a concrete plan, not m
empty threat, Petrograd dispatches
today stated that Turkish and Ger
man troops are marching on India
via Bagdad and Persia. This strengths
- the ideas that the attacks on
Egypt and India may be attempted
simultaneously.
Deputy AIype. in announcing the
Abyssinian rulers promise tn ths
French railroad which runs from the
French port Of sJuhi{H M ~
Abeha. In ,AbyssiniA. This SoM2 ~
sAid. E~s MAli suited ~
FtrN1sRcxtAAte ct tlae