The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-10-17

derived very great benefits.
'.3. Ethiopia, on the contrary, has
proved and is proving by multitude
of undeniable facts that she wishes
to pursue and develop policy of open
antagonism to Italy. This policy cul-
minated in the episode of Ual-Ual.
which is not an isolated event, but
can be considered as the alarm sig
nal that revealed a situation funda-
mentally hostile to the two italian
colonies in East Africa"
Italy contends that Ethiopia is not
really a unified state and because of
her unciviliZed practices should never
have been admitted to the League of
Nations-aIthough Italy supported her
for membership a few years ago. The
present Ethiopian regime, says Italy,
is merely a result of successive con-
quests, and the government is in the
hands of whatever chief happens to
hold the whip hand over the other
chiefs at the moment. It is feudal and
makes little attempt to stop slave traf-
fic and slave ownership. 1t does not
even keep a record Of births and
deaths.
A Heterogeneous Nation.
The nation (if it can be called that
is composed of half a dozen important
racial bodies, embraces as many Ian
guages with none of them dominant,
and has three principal religions. Ethi-
opia really is composed Of only four
East African regions, the other nine
regions shown on the map having been
merely conquests for the purpose Of
enslaving the populations.
The population of the region called
Kafa was estimated to have been
100000 forty years ago by Cardinal
Massja, whom the Italians consider
an expert, but since conquest by Eth
opian slave traffickers, the population
has shrunk to only 10000. The Jimira,
for the same reason. have decreased
in Is years from 100000 to 10000. An
other tribe, the Burgi, Italy claims has
diminished in 40 years from 100000
to $1,000 because of the slave traffic.
Because of these things, and because
of the fact the Ethiopian emperor is
never sure Of his rule, since he gained
it by force and Immediately upon gain
ing it became marked for the violence
of jealous subordinate chieftains, Italy
claims that it was a mistake to adj
nit Ethiopia to the league. Ethiopia
was admitted to the league on her
promise that she would abolish slav-
cry and solidify her state; these
things it is evident (even to others
than Italy, she has failed to do.
Italy has 100000 inhabitants in
the $4,000 square miles of her own
country and her population is growing
at the rate of 100000 a year. This,
coupled with the Ethiopian hostilities
of long duration, is her excuse for
this years expedition into Africa"
She wants room.
When it comes to removing Ethiopia
from membership in the league, Baron
Aloisi, Italy's representative at Gen.
eva, has been told in the council that
if any nation is expelled it will be
that nation which has violated the
covenant of the league By refusing
to submit the Ethiopian case to league
arbitration, Italy would certainly be
that one.
Italy Late in Complaining.
Member nations pointedly cite the
fact that Italy is a little late in be-
coming riled about Ethiopian annoy
ances which occurred 40 or even 20
years ago. If she regarded them as
less harmless than did the other ma
tons who have colonized Africa, why
did she vote to permit Ethiopian men,
bership?
Great Britain and France in their
maximum proposals" of August %
gave Mussolini an opportunity for
peaceful penetration of Ethiopia by
Italian capital and colonists, giving
Italy control of much of the country's
agricultural and mineral resources.
Certain areas would be ceded outright
to Mussolini. He would be given a
leading role in improving the back
ward Ethiopian civilization which he
deplores and in breaking the slave
traffic.
These concessions he refused fatty.
About the area which would be ceded
TO him, he said, They must think
am a collector of deserts, like Mark
Twain's echo-collector who bought
two mountains so he would own the
echoes"
Mussolini is a dictator. He relies
completely upon the hero-worshiping
enthusiasm of his people for his posi-
ton. He refused the Anglo-French of
fers because he had too far committed
himself to his people.
There was no turning back without
his looking like a chump. No dictator
can look like chump and still be
dictator very long.
g Western Newspaper Union.