Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-07-29
BY MARCELLE PRAT.

ASMARA, Erltrea, MAMMAL
Asmara, capital Of Eritrea. a little
town with roads of pink earth, with
houses of yellow plaster, and full OF
the sound Of bells, cleaning in the
sun like a ruby-the Asmara that
was!
Today all is changed. Asmara has
become a garrison, every building
Communicated by the Italian military
authorities.
The schools are being adapted for
hospital work. The pavements. the
balconies of the cafes. the churches.
swarm with soldiers. The air is alive
with the sound of marching feet.
I had arrived so far hopeful OF
pushing on to the Ethiopian frontier
and penetrating it. and in Asmara
was to see Gen. de Bono. ! had an
appointment for that afternoon. Gen.
de Bono is commander in chief OF the
naval and military forces Of Eritrea
and italian Somaliland.
Taken Before Commander.
At the residence my card was taken
in to his excellency. A door was
opened, a curtain drawn aside. l
was in the presence of the general.
Small, alert, he arose and indicated
q chair.
eYou wish to go to Adowa?" he
inquired. Into Abyssinia? 1t is inn
possible I cannot give you permis-
sion to cross the frontier.
II cannot accept that responsibility.
1t is too risky. Things are too strained
on the frontier can give you leave
to travel as you will on this side Of
the frontier, but beyond No."
1 studied him, little man with
narrow shoulders and a straight back.
It was ne to whom the problem of
waging a successful war had been
given. Unless things came to salts
factory arrangement, two races would
be joined on that frontier in a strug-
gle that had tremendous significance.
On him depended the prestige of the
white race.
Provides Tour of Frontier.
"You would like to make the tour Of
our frontier"
Yes, if it is possible!"
He picked up a pencil and drew q
line on the map.
"Addi Quala, the red country. Addi
Quala, land of joy. When you have
been through all these districts you
will have seen a great deal. The de-
tails of your journey I shall leave to
one of my officers"
He returned to his seat behind his
desk, bunch of honeysuckle beside
him.
Good luck!" he said, as an officer
came to take me away.
Without delay, the aide prepared
my itinerary and gave me the neces-
sary passes, and left the palace, .
palace that hummed like a hive.
The question whose answer I sought
was: What were the natives think
ing; that is. the Eritreans, those for
mer Ethiopians? What would be their
reaction when they knew that they
would be called on to march against
men of their own color?
Officers Questioned.
questioned officers among the
Italians, including Gen. Pircio Biroli,
commanding the native troops. They
all said the same:
THE Eritreans are against the
Ethiopians and are coming of their
own desire to enlist on our side"
How do you tackle the problem Of
recruiting native troops?" I asked an
Italian colonel.
When We need men we tell them
what we want: So many soldiers
needed here, so many men there. And
always we get more than we ask. The
volunteers crowd in on US"
I went to the camp. The native SOL
diers were joking, laughing, frolic-
some. I offered them cigarettes and
sat among them.
80 you like soldiering?"
Their black faces beamed. Their
white teeth showed in great smiles.
Like it!''
One giant caressed his cape.
This stuff cost o lot Of money" he