Evening star., 1935-08-18
BY GAETANO POLvERELLI

Member Of the Italian Parliament
TINE dispute between Italy and
Ethiopia has become serious
affair. The attacks of the
L Ethiopians against the Italians
at Gondar, Walwal, Afdub and Har-
rar are publicly known facts: but
what most people ignore is the gen.
eral situation in the country itself.
Ethiopia has a population of 10.-
100000; Italy has 100000 inhabi-
tants in a small area and naturally
desirous of expanding. In these cir
cumstances some may say that Italy's
policy threatens to become that of the
strong trampling the weak. This is
not the case. Italy chose a policy Of
economic penetration-the course fol-
lowed by all civilized nations which
repudiate violence.
A policy of friendship, collabora-
ton and pacific economic penetration
was exactly what Italy had planned
with regard to Ethiopia. In the spring
of 1927, H. r. H., the Duke Of the
Abruzzi, a member Of the Italian
royal family, renowned as an arctic
explorer, traveller and colonist, jour-
neyed out to Adds Ababa, capital of
Ethiopia, as an ambassador OF peace
and good will. He took with him gifts
from Italy, in the form Of arms, curios
and other objects which were pre-
sented to Taffari; the list even in
cluded a tank! Obviously arms and
weapons are tokens of friendship, for
who would give them to an enemy?
Italy wanted thus to pave the way,
politically and spiritually, for the
penetration of her own civilized Gus
toms into Ethiopia, by first establish
ing cordial collaboration and recipro-
cal understanding with these peoples.
Ethiopia Is a country of great unde-
veloped resources, which would yield
enormous profits if properly admin
istered.
Treaty Made in 1928.
This policy of friendship, which
forced Italy to a difficult task of per-
suasion, was patiently pursued
throughout most Of 1928, ending in
treaty Of amity with the Ethiopian
Empire in October Of that year. The
protocol was signed by Taffari Ma
konnen, the present Emperor. in his
own name and in that Of his sue
cessors. Italy's intentions were so
loyal and friendly that she offered
Ethiopia a free zone in the port of
Assab on the Red Sea, in the Eritrean
colony. It was also planned to pro-
vide direct connection between Ethi-
opia and this new outlet on the coast
over a modern highway which Italy
formally pledged herself to build.
BY accepting this proposal Ethiopia,
which possessed no outlet to the sea
except Jibuti, which is linked to Adds
Ababa by the French railways some
what antiquated construction by now
and ill-suited to trade requirements
would have acquired free transit to
and a free area on the coast, with
speedy means for traffic.
Travel by rail from Adds Ababa
to Ubuti Is painfully slow. Several
days are required to cover the dis
tance, always stopping overnight for
reasons of safety, since raiders and
savage tribes hold sway over the
desert wastes through which it runs.
The highway would have reduced the
journey to q matter Of hours. Italians
are past masters in road-making. With
their help Ethiopia, whose trade and
traffic are hindered by lack of COM
munications, would gradually have ac-
quired road system almost equal to
any in the civilized countries of
Europe.
Free Zone Held Rejected.
How did Ethiopia respond to Italy's
good will? Simply by allowing the
treaty to remain a dead letter and by
rejecting the offer of the free zone
at Assab. The highway was never
built. The Italians were hindered in
their trade. Eventually Ethiopia dis
played Ill feeling by arming, by acting
in q hostile manner, by attacking the
Italians on the boundaries and In the
interior.
Among facts which testify. to ab-