Evening star., 1935-07-08
WAR IS PREDICTED.
IN AFRICA BEFORE.
WET SEASON ENDS.
Strife Developing Rapidly as
Italy Rushes Troops,
Observers Say.
BLACKSHIRT DIVISIONS
INCREASED TO $1,000
Heavy Hostilities Cannot Begin
Until Rains Let Up, but Crisis
Is Expected Sooner.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ROME. July 8-Italy stepped up
concentration of troops for action in
East Africa today, and some observers
predicted warfare between Italy and
Ethiopia before the rainy season ends
in September.
The Blackshirt divisions, 1t was
disclosed, have been increased in
strength-from $4,000 to $4,000 men.
Four divisions have been completed
and another is to be ready soon.
More than 5000 soldiers and officers
are en- route to Africa on three ships
that sailed during the weekend.
Other transports are ready at their
docks, awaiting only the arrival OF
volunteer battalions
Although most observers held that
hostilities could not begin before the
heavy rains let up in September,
some expressed belief that the con-
troversy was developing so rapidly it
would come to q head sooner.
Mussolini Hailed.
The nation rallied strongly to
Premier Mussolini's charge to $4,000
Blackshirts, ready to depart at Sa-
lerno for Africa: I'VE have decided
upon q struggle in which we as a
government and people will not turn
back The decision Is irretrievable."
Italian newspapers displayed prom
inently dispatches asserting France
had refused to back Great Britain in
an effort to avert war through the
League of Nations. Dispatches from
London criticized Capt. Anthony Eden
for a tentative offer" of a seaport
to Ethiopia to settle the dispute.
The Cancellation Commission, meet
ing at Scheveningen, the Netherlands,
was considered to be discussing only
border incidents-minor elements In
the controversy.
The commission was reported to
have encountered deadlock that
threatened to break up the meetings.
The rift arose from the demands OF
Italian members that eyewitnesses
Of border incidents be brought to
Scheveningen by airplane to testify.
Authoritative sources said British
opposition has strengthened Italian
public opinion behind II Duce's East
African campaign and that Italy is
determined to proceed, regardless of
what England does.
The United States action, on the
other hand, in refusing in effect to
act under the Kellogg-Briand pact to
avert hostilities, was termed more
diplomatic.
Washington's answer to Emperor
Halle Selassie's note, asking invoca-
ton of the pact under which Italy
renounced war as an instrument OF
national policy. was held up by news
papers as evidence of an American
its stand
Military circles said Italy's first
move from her East African colonies
OF Eritrea and Somaliland would be
against Adowa, where a numerically
superior Ethiopian force crushed an
Italian expedition in 1895.
Farley in London.
LONDON, July 8 P.-Premier
Mussolini's dictum of Italy's IRE
trievable" decision in her dispute with
Ethiopia confronted Great Britain
today as she pondered new policies in
an attempt to avert war.
A definite decision is expected to be
announced to the House of Commons
Thursday by Sir Samuel Hoare. for
eign secretary.
Joseph A. C. Avenol. secretary gen.
eral of the League of Nations, arrives
tonight and will consult Sir Samuel