The Washington times., 1935-10-01
ADDISABABANS
CAM0UFLAGE
THEIR HOMES
Eucalyptus Branches
Cover Roofs to Fool
Duce's Bombers
By H. r. KNICKERBOCKER
Copyright, 1895, BY International
NewG aeFVicA

houses with eucalyptus branches
today and the government posted
sentries atop each Alpine Peak
surrounding the city, as the dan.
ger of an air attack grew acute.
The sentries are expected to fire
guns OF warning at the first sight
Of approaching Italian bombers.
Peace Seen Hopeless
The Ethiopian delegation to
Geneva has notified the govern.
ment that a peaceful solution of
the quarrel with Italy is impoS-
Sible.
Even government circles here
recognize that Premier MuSsolini
Is unable to turn back.
Sir Samuel Hoare's statement
Of British position to France made
q diScouraging impression here. It
was taken to mean that Britain
will not, under any circumstances,
act alone to stop italy, but only
with the League Of Nations-that
Is to say, with France.
Realists In Ethiopia
The emperor'S advisors, extreme
ly realistic. expect no miracles of
unSelfish conduct from the League
members. They analyze the stu
alton thus:
Britain says to France:
"YOu had better act with me
against Italy now, or else in
the future I won't act with you
when Germany attacks"
But France says to herself:
81 need Italy in the ring
around Germany. / need Eng
land more, it is true. II I
thought that England would
really desert me when Ger.
many attacks, would have to
90 with England now. But the
German air fleet Is just Is
great . menace to England As
to France. When the time
comes, England must stand
with me from self.lnterest
alone" .--
BY this chain or reasoning,
Adds Ababa arrives at the con-
clusion that France will not act
now with England.
Crucial MOment-BOmbs
And the British, having sent
their fleet to the Mediterranean
and proved to the entire world
their sincere intention Of uphold
ing the League Covenant, will be
able to wash their hands and
throw the entire responsibility
upon France for letting II Duce
go ahead.
The bombing of Adds Ababa
will be the crucial moment.
International News Service was
informed that confidential nego-
tiationS have been undertaken by
Britain and France to persuade
Premier MusSolini not to attack
the defenseless city. It is not be.
lieved, however, that the powers
will be able to get any commit
ment from him.
Hope and Fear Mix
Ethiopian authorities are con-
vinced that if italy does bomb
the city the effect on world opinion
will be such that in this case, and
this case only, Britain will move
to close the Suez Canal.
Thus the sacrifice Of the city
will be a small price to pay for
British support, and Adds Ababa
today is awaiting the blow with
mingled hope and desperate fear.
Members of all the foreign lega-
tions privately declare that the
italian bombers had better avoid
the legation quarter, as present
day bombing technique is far too
advanced to allow the excuse Of
an accident" If any legation
building is hit.
U. S. Legation Exposed.
The only exposed legation Is
the American, which is a miser-
able building situated in the low
est native quarter, miles away
from the legation quarter, and not
fit to live in. Cornelius Van H.
Engert, the American Minister, is
forced to reside in a Greek hotel
in the center Of town, an newt
able target for an air attack.
william Cramp, his assistant,
left today for Djibouti to meet the
four American naval operators
who are bringing three. tons of
equipment to establish a radio
sending station similar to the
ones already possessed by the
British, French and Germans. The
great question Is whether they
will reach here before the rail-
xTyo Sr -