The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-07-12
Liberal Viewpoint
by DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

NHUSSOLINl, speaking OF Italy ACCOUNT
w with Ethiopia, has declared in stalwart
fashion that England's opposition is in very bad
taste in the light of British imperialism in the
past
1t may aid our understanding OF the present
Ethiopian episode to summarize clearly the de-
velopments between 1889 and 1896, which con-
stitute the account" which Mussolini desires
to settle with Ethiopia.
Italy had established small colonies in
Ertrea and Somaliland on the eastern coast of
Africa. Ethiopia lay diagonally between them.
If occupied by Italy, it would give the latter
country rich and fairly impressive empire in
Africa. At the time that this aspiration was
tempting the imperialistic Italian statesmen,
England was seized with a fear lest France oc
cupy Ethiopia and use it as a basis for an attack
upon British Sudan. Therefore, England decided
to play italy for sucker to Illustrate Frances
ambitions in East Africa.
Events in Ethiopia were favorable for the
British ruse and Italy fell intellectually if I'M
willingly for the scheme An Ethiopian chief
tain named Menelik, aspired to the Abyssinian
throne. He coveted Italys aid and the Italians
jumped at the opportunity. They sent him
large quantity of arms and ammunition and in
duced him to sign the Treaty of Uccia1 in
May, 1889.
THIS treaty was a remarkable example of
i "the fine Italian hand" in diplomacy. Meme
lik agreed in the treaty, according to the
language of the text in Ethiopian, ito be at
liberty to avail himself of the government OF
his majesty the King of Italy, for the treatment
of all questions concerning other powers and
governments But when the treaty was trans
lated into italian the phrase "to be at liberty to"
appeared as consents" to the dominion of Italy
over Ethiopian foreign affairs. In short, the
Italian translation of the treaty would have
made Ethiopia, for all practical purposes, an
Italian protectorate.
Menelik was by no means dumb enough to
miss this italian embarrassing. He issued
vigorous protest and repudiated the treaty. The
British, however, continued their support of
Italian ambitions in Ethiopia and proceeded,
with the italians, to draw up a potential parti
ton of East Africa.
France saw her chance in Meneliks wrath.
They played on his indignation with respect,
induced him to prepare to resist by force any
Italian aggression, furnished him with abundant
arms and military supplies, and sent French
soldiers to train the Ethiopian army
An Italian offensive against Ethiopia had
been restrained by Signor di Rudini between
1891 and 1893. AS Prime Minister he vigorously
opposed Italian colonial expansion. 1t was his
contention that the chief task of Italian states
men should be the reorganization and Develop
ment of italian economic life at home, thus
avoiding the wastes of imperialistic adventure.
OUT IN December, 1893, Signor Crispi, the
II arch-Italian imperialist who had launched
Italian diplomacy with Menelik, returned to
power. Italy declared war on Menelik in the
winter of 1894 The disastrous character of the
resulting conflict has been well summarized by
Prof Powell
The Italian arms gained several victories,
the news Of which was received with exaggerated
delight in Italy. But in the following winter the
TIDE of fortune turned. The vassals Of Menelik
rallied to his standard. The italian, Gen. Bara-
teri, urged on by Crispi's taunts and anxious
TO snatch victory before the arrival of Bald
lssera, who was on his way to supersede him, de-
termlned, with the approval of the majority Of
his Saskatchewan his forces were ill-equipped
and amounted to only 10000 men as against
nearly 10000 Of the enemy-to risk a decisive
action
The italian columns, fighting over difficult
ana lnsuhciently explored ground, were attacked
piece-meal and encircled by the superior num-
oers OF the enemy. Two generals were killed.
| there were 5000 killed and wounded and more
than 1000 prisoners. Such was the disaster of
Adowa March 1. 1866. the memory of which
still casts a shadow on Italian colonial
enterprise
The news of it produced in Italy violent
storm OF anger and CONSERVATION and nothing
was left to the government but to resign. Long
negotiations with Menelik followed and peace
was only concluded in october. Italy recognized
the complete independence of Abyssinia and
notified the powers of the fact. The Treaty of
Uccialh was thus abrogated and Italy's Red Sea
colony limited to its present frontiers"