Evening star., 1935-02-17
MUSSOL|N| R0USES
NATION AS TROOPS
LEAVE FOR AFRICA
Calls for Preparedness for
Any EventuaIity in Ethi-
opian Crisis.
SECURITY PLAN BACKED
BY FASCISTS' COUNCIL
Thunderous Cheers Greet Duce's
Statement 10000 Blackshirts
Have Volunteered.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ROME, February l6-Premier Mus
solini broke his silence on the Ethio-
plan controversy tonight by urging all
mobilized Italians to be ready for any
eventuality.
In an address to the Fascist Grand
Council II Duce for the first time
made a definite reference to a
front" He congratulated the "viril-
ity of the men leaving for the African
front"
His statement, to which deep sig
nifcance was attached, was made sew
eral hours after the first detachments
Of Italian troops sailed for Africa.
Mussolini's Council in a four-hour
session approved his measure for the
security of peace" in East African pos
sessions and those considered neces-
sary "for control over Italian inter-
ests."
Cheers Greet Statement.
Thunderous cheers greeted the die
tator's statement that 10000 Black
shirts have volunteered for service in
East Africa since February l, and
also thousands of other citizens and
war veterans.
The Grand Councils communique
said certain types of workers must
hold themselves in readiness for mill
tary discipline and for organization
at a moments notice.
Rome was excited and buzzed with
talk Of Mussolinis characteriStically
militant speech. A statement from
him had been eagerly awaited for
days.
The council voted a national week
end of education" for political ana MIL
itary training Of men and boys from
the ages of to Sc. Every week END
will be devoted to the new measure
II also decreed a workers 40-hour
week as permanent measure.
Advance Reports UncOnfirmed.
Reports in unofficial Italian circles
that Ethiopian troops had advanced
along a wide front in Somaliland could
not be confirmed tonight.
The Ethiopian Legation could not
be reached for comment, but these
Italian sources understood Emperor
Halle Selassies troops haG moved for
ward in the vicinity of Ualual and
Afdub, scenes of recent fatal conflicts
between Italian native troops and
Ethiopian tribesmen.
A battalion of BlackShirts en-
barked at Naples this afternoon, it
was officially revealed after being re-
viewed by Crown Prince Umberto,
and II Duce reviewed two other bat
talions preparatory to their departure
for Eritrea and Italian Somaliland.
In the face of the embarkation OF
the Italian troops, Negradas YeSus,
Ethiopian charge d'affaires, through
whom Emperor Halle SelaSSie OF
Ethiopia has stoutly disclaimed re-
sponsibility for Italo-Ethiopian hos
tilities along the border, declared.
Will Defend Homes With Lives.
1--WE will defend our homes with
our lives. If Italy comes against
us, her blood will be on her own
head"
While hundreds of troops moved
into Rome from northern points,
wearing new uniforms and ordinary
trench caps, but dangling with he'll
NETS for tropical wear at their backs,
Mussolini, in company with Fascist
and army officials, gave his several
thousand militiamen an inspection
before their departure.
Newspaper men and photographers
were barred from the review. which
took place in the grenadiers bar
racks here. but the official statement
said II Duce addressed the troops
briefly. He was cheered as he de-
parted. 1t said.
The militiamen. who volunteered
for service in Eritrea and Somali-
land, leave this evening for Sicily,
whence they will sail for Africa.
Hundreds of reservists, meanwhile,
were receiving mobilization cards in
structing them to hold themselves in
readiness for mobilization orders.
New Denial Reported.
Reports said Emperor Halle Selassie
had sent Mussolini still another men,
orandum denying Italy's charges that
Ethiopians were the aggressors along
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