The tribune independent of Michigan., 1935-02-16
Editorial
WAR CLOUDS in ETHIOPIA

The stage 4. set for War between sal, Ethiopia.
following series Of intermittent clashes between armed
OF the two nations. on che Abyssnian ironueis'
Each country charges the other with responsibility Tor
the attacks and has happened that in each encounter
the Ethiopians have thus far been victorious
Now the announcement that II Duce OF itay
has called the coors 250,O00 troops 10000 of whom
have been ordered embark for the Italian colony IN
Northern Africa. fleet of war planes together WIN
such other modern fighting machines as armoured tanks
and feldguns being concentrated at the scene Oh
trouble.
At the same time thousands of Ethiopian warriors
eager for battle, massng at the frontiers between
their country and Italian Sommerland generation
ago Ethiopian forces armed conflict with Italian in
vaders defeated and annhiated formidable force OF
Italian troops. and they fought with such skill ana IN
courage discourage further attempt OF
foreigners invade their territory.
That forty however, before the modern
bombing planes armoured tanks hgh-powered cannon |
hne guns poison and bombs were introduced
warfare The science of warfare and the evo-
luton dealing inventions have made tremend
strides during the past forty years Italy has kept
pace with the march of progress the Ethiopian En-
pire has Jagged behind The warriors of Abyssina. al :
though unsurpassed in and physical power and
endurante are not fully trained in the OF modern
warfare and the majority OF them are unarmed except
with the antique guns and primitive spears which they
have done battle for generations.
The ruler Of Ethiopia. Emperor. Halle SeaSSe ineal i
descendant of King solomon and the Queen Shcba
highly educated and wen Informed with the progress
science and military and naval development We a,
pect therefore that he will be hurry engage in
e armed cd M % ~ nS e ne Of Sa % pu' psns
He could also easily additional fighting r.
force of million armed with primitive spears. -
He realizes. however. that conflict with well q
armed tdian armies backed by fighting planes and o
war tanks his poory-equpped warriors would be
great disadvantage. although they would prove ~
than a match for equal number soldiers fighting ~
with SIMILAR primitive His duSky warriors do
not know the meaning of fear but men armed with o.
spears. no matter how courageous with ur
bombing planes and poison gas
II Is to be sincerely hoped that the diplomats Ehio
la and Italy through the nterceSson OF the league OF
Nations, may be able 70 honorable settle n
meht OF the difficulty, without We
pect. however, that when facts i'm the CAS-, are fully
known, IT will be found that Ethiopia has something
which Italy wants Perhaps expanded territory in r'
Africa Ethiopian oil and other mineral epo>ints raw IN
products and new markets in which sell Italian goods
II TINS be the then will exremcly difficult to ~
Ntfl war me people OF Ethiopia win defend their NJ
rights with their lives. h
me present Italian Ethiopian goab, recall, To mind
ne recent reports OF efforts 10 form marriage alliance al
~DeeSee" ~ iFhce OF Ethiolla and Italian noble f.
woman and similar effort form such an alliance be- :,
tween japanese HeireSS Ehiopian Prince This
reported rivalry between Italy and japan for mar o.
mage dace with Ethiopia significance
~ present Japan is busy with her military operations
~ 'oilhern hna where she is steadily increasing her
sphere o influence below the Great Wallfof China and :
9pemhg new territory to Japan The Japanese are there
between Italy and Ethiopia S 'i' :
furthermore France and Italy have recently signed "a
new treaty which is thought to give Itav >sranco NJ
no interference from France in the Ethionian an,na
IN 1act France reported to have ceded 10 Jtav her
coonlai territory adjacent to Ethiopia
In ner ambition for territorial expanS,on i, fr;o.
anu uhuer tne favorable existing circumstances il would
oe De TO see Italy launch extensive military
operations In Ethiopia at early date ' 4